KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s dusk to dawn sea curfew will be extended for another two weeks until Feb 24.

       Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said the extension of the 6pm to 6am sea curfew is needed due to continuous threats from cross-border criminals, including from kidnap-for-ransom groups.

       The curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

       “There is a need to continue the curfew in these waters to prevent the encroachment of terrorists and criminals who can threaten the safety of locals, international researchers and tourists on the islands,” he said yesterday.

       Idris said that according to intelligence sources, kidnap-for-ransom groups and Abu Sayyaf militants are still trying to attack and commit cross-border crimes.

       Of late, there were claims that a group of Filipino armed men had slipped into Sabah via Tambisan waters in Lahad Datu but security forces had found no evidence as such.

       He said the curfew enables authorities to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who use the waters and are staying near the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone)

       Idris added that the curfew is to facilitate enforcement and monitoring of boat activities in the area as well as establish a sense of security with nearby chalet owners and fishermen through the presence of a security team.

       “I have also given the authority to all district police chiefs to issue permits to any eligible applicants who meet the criteria to conduct fisheries activities in the areas affected by the curfew,” he said.

       The curfew was first implemented on July 19, 2014 following a spate of kidnappings which saw the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then and the killing of several others, including a policeman and tourists.