KOTA KINABALU – Police are proposing that Tawau be excluded from the dusk-till-dawn curfew for the waters off the east coast of Sabah.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah said a study will be conducted with the authoritative agency, the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), to reduce the area of coverage under the curfew.
“Last night at a meeting with ESSCom, this matter had been discussed,” said Acryl Sani, adding that they were aware of views expressed by tourism players on whether there is still a need for the curfew to be upheld.
“For this purpose, as a start, we are proposing Tawau be excluded from this curfew. We cannot, at this point of time, end the curfew.
“It is true that kidnapping-for-ransom (incidents) no longer have been reported. However, this does not mean such incidents will no longer happen. I believe it is not happening because we have tightened security and heightened our vigilance,” he said.
Acryl said this is the reason the authorities will constantly evaluate the security levels in the area, as well as review their operations.
The dawn-till-dusk curfew in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone was introduced in 2014, covering the waters of ten districts namely, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
The curfew was introduced following the bloody 2013 Tanduo incursion in Lahad Datu. – The Vibes, May 16, 2023
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