Semporna calm under curfew

KOTA KINABALU: MARITIME communities off Semporna remained calm during the 12-hour curfew that started on Saturday.

The 6pm-6am curfew was enforced in six districts within the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone), involving waters off Semporna, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan and Kunak.

Semporna district officer Dr Chacho Bulah said fishermen had taken precautionary measures after they were briefed about the curfew by the Fisheries Department.

“All resorts have been informed and they are happy about it (the curfew). The feedback is very positive because this is how we can monitor the situation and maintain peace,” he said when contacted yesterday.

The dusk to dawn curfew was implemented following a shootout at Pulau Mabul on July 13, which saw marine personnel Corporal Abd Rajah Jamuan killed and his colleague, Constable Zakiah Aleip, kidnapped from Mabul Water Bungalow Resort.

The designated curfew area is between the Malaysia-Philippines sea border and encompasses a 5.5km distance from beach or land.

Anyone found outside after dark within the designated 224,592 square kilometre curfew area in the waters off Sabah’s east coast can be detained and charged in court.

Mataking Reef Dive Resort spokesperson said guests had been advised not to wander along the beach at night for their safety.

“There are security forces on the island and all resort staff as well as tourists have been told to abide by the curfew.”

Mataking is the closest island to the Malaysia-Philippines border.

Other resorts that took extra precaution by observing the time limit were Pom Pom Island Resort and Mabul Borneo Divers Resort.

“Most dive operators are no longer carrying out night diving activities.

“We have advised our guests to stay in the resort room after 6pm and to not walk on Mabul island alone,” said a Borneo Divers Resort spokesperson.

Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said it was still too early to evaluate the impact the curfew had on tourism.

In Lahad Datu, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Abd Rashid Harun said no arrests were made on the first day of the curfew.

“The situation is under control. All parties, especially fishermen, have given their full cooperation.

“We hope they will continue to do so until the curfew is lifted,” he said in a statement

Abd Rashid reminded the people, particularly coastal residents and fishermen in the affected districts, to abide by the curfew order to avoid any untoward incident.

On Saturday, state Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the curfew would be enforced off the east coast of Sabah until Aug 2.

He had said that security forces could also “shoot on sight“ any intruder they knew to be involved in kidnapping or murder cases.

Source: New Straits Times