KOTA KINABALU: The 81st phase of the curfew at the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone), which ends today, will be extended for another two weeks for phase 82.
The new curfew has been enforced from 6pm to 6am until Feb 18.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said the order was enforced from three nautical miles off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
He reminded the people in these districts to avoid being in the locations identified as a curfew zone.
"The need to continue to curfew is to ensure that (our waters) are not intruded by terrorists who can threaten the safety of international researches and tourists on resort islands, who could be kidnapped by terrorist groups from the southern Philippines.
"Our intelligence reveals that gangs involved in kidnappings for ransom and Abu Sayyaf militants are still attempting to intrude into our waters to commit crimes.
"We also want to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who are in our waters and those who are on land near the Esszone," he said in a statement today.
Ramli added that the curfew was needed to facilitate the monitoring of boat activities as well as to establish a sense of security and confidence among nearby chalet owners and fishermen with the presence of a security team.
"I have also given the authority to all related district police chiefs to issue permit to applicants who fulfil the criteria to conduct fishing in areas affected by the curfew."