Fishing boats, tugboats in ESSZone to install automatic identification

All fishing boats and tugboats in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) are required to install the automatic identification system when applying the exemption permit.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun announced on Monday after he, together with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) Commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid, had a meeting with the Sabah Fishing Boat Association and the Sandakan and Tawau Tugboat Operators yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference here, Abdul Rashid said it was a request from the police to all operators of tugboats and fishing associations in the ESSzone to stick together to ensure security in the waters of Sabah and the safety of all crew members.

He also called on all operators of tugboats and fishing boats to notify the ESSCom Operation Centre at 089863181, a day before heading out to sea, and to inform about their movements every hour.

Abdul Rashid said if all parties were to fully cooperate with the security forces, crime in the country's waters could be tackled.

The curfew order, which starts from 7pm until 5am daily, in waters of seven districts involving the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran in the ESSZone will end on Aug 7.