Extend curfew in ESSZone – PBS

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has urged the government to extend the curfew in six districts in Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

Its president, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the curfew was effective in monitoring and controlling the movement of criminals and smugglers in Sabah. “The curfew must be imposed until the security situation can be guaranteed. It is necessary although it hinders travel and affects the livelihood of coastal fishermen,” he said in his keynote address when opening the PBS annual delegates conference here yesterday.

The two-day conference which ends today was opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The curfew imposed in Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau districts since July 19 was to curb cross-border crimes.

The 7 pm to 5 am curfew which was extended for 16 days ends on Nov 22.

Pairin urged the federal government to pay attention to the security of people living in ESSZone.

Welcoming the RM660 million allocation to Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), he said the government should upgrade the security level as intrusions still occur.

“With this allocation, we expect the security level will be enhanced, including accelerating the establishment of several battalion camps in ESSZone,” he added. – Bernama