Sabah sea curfew rebranded as Sabah ESS Zone MCO - IGP

KUALA LUMPUR - The Home Ministry, the National Security Council (MKN) and the Sabah Government have agreed to rebrand the dusk-to-dawn curfew in eastern Sabah waters as Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESS Zone) Movement Control Order (MCO).

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said said Sabah ESS Zone MCO will take effect from 6pm tomorrow in the same coastal areas affected by the curfew, except Tawau as statistics show a low level of threat and satisfactory security control in the waters of that area.

The curfew was first implemented on July 16, 2014, in the Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, and Sandakan waters to address the issue of intrusion and to curb the threat of Sulu terrorists or kidnapping for ransom (KFR) groups in the Sabah’ east coast areas. It was later expanded to include the waters of Tawau, Kinabatangan, and Beluran, considering the security needs.

"Following the recent assessment, the MKN, the Sabah Government and the Home Ministry have agreed to rebrand the curfew as Sabah ESS ZONE Movement Control Order,” he said in a statement today.

Razarudin said the MCO is necessary to ensure that the waters are not encroached or threatened, and the implementation of the MCO will guarantee the safety and well-being of the people of Sabah in the ESS ZONE area.

"The Royal Malaysia Police assures that the level of security in Sabah will remain under control and will take all necessary measures to combat any cross-border criminal incidents, kidnappings, or smuggling,” he added. - BERNAMA