KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s ongoing dusk-to-dawn sea curfew has been extended to May 25.

       Sabah police commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said with this curfew in place, residents in the areas involved are not allowed to leave their homes during curfew hours, while outsiders are not allowed to enter the curfew zones.

       He said the extension of the 6pm to 6am sea curfew was 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 islands," Idris said in a statement on Tuesday (May 10).

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

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

       “The curfew is to facilitate enforcement and monitoring of vessel activities in the area as well as establish a sense of security among nearby chalet owners and fishermen through the presence of a security team,” Idris said.

       "I have also given authority to all district police chiefs to issue permits to any eligible applicants who meet the criteria to conduct fishery activities in areas affected by the curfew." he added.

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