THE curfew order for the waters of seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) will be reviewed and the areas will be scaled down from time to time as required, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said.

He said the proposed review of the curfew order was discussed yesterday at a Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) meeting in Tawau.

“The police and ESSCom have proposed that the curfew be scaled down and renamed ‘restricted movement areas in the waters of certain districts,” he said in Kota Kinabalu today.

“To begin with, we will propose that the waters of Tawau be excluded from the curfew because we are confident that the security control in the waters of the district is satisfactory.”

Acryl Sani said that although kidnappings had ceased in the east coast area of Sabah, the curfew is still necessary.

“Kidnappings have not occurred in the area for the past three years due to the curfew and strict security control by ESSCom.

“However, there are three areas still deemed as hotspots namely Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Semporna as they  border neighbouring countries,” he said adding that Kudat and Kota Marudu had been excluded from the curfew. – Bernama, May 16, 2023.