Curfew in ESSZone extended for 29th time

KOTA KINABALU - The dusk-to-dawn curfew along the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) has been extended for the 29th time from October 26 to September 9.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the extension, under Section 31 (1) of the Police Act 1967, was to enhance security along the east coast areas against intruders and criminal activities.

The 15-day curfew was first imposed on July 19, 2014 at six coastal areas and water borders of ESSZone districts, covering about 121,272 square miles or 194,035 kilometres from Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak to Tawau.

The first curfew extension was from August 3 until August 17, followed by the second phase extension (August 18 – September 2), third phase (September 4 – September 19), fourth phase (September 20 – October 4), fifth phase (October 5 – October 20), sixth phase (October 21 – November 6), seventh phase (November 7 – November 22), eight phase (November 23 – December 8), ninth phase (December 9 – December 24) and 10th phase (December 25 – January 8 this year).

The curfew was extended for the 11th time this year from January 10 to January 25, followed by the 12th phase (January 26 – February 10), 13th phase (February 12 – February 26), 14th phase (February 27 – March 14) and 15th phase (March 15 – March 29), 16th phase (March 30 – April 14), 17th phase (April 16 – April 30), 18th phase (May 2 – May 17), 19th phase (May 18 – June 2), and 20th phase (June 3 – June 17).

The 21st phase began on June 19 – July 4, followed by the 22nd phase (July 5 – July 19), 23rd phase (July 20 – August 5), 24th phase (August 6 – August 21), 25th phase (August 22 – September 6), 26th phase (September 7 – September 22), 27th phase (September 23 – October 8) and 28th phase (October 9 – October 24).