Police chiefs, ESSCOM should be selective in handing out curfew exemption permits

Security forces, in particular district police chiefs (KPDs) and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) have been urged to be more selective in determining the areas where permits for fishing activities may be granted during the curfew period.

The Sabah Suluk Solidarity Council (MPSS) secretary Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto said the move was important to reduce the risk of kidnappings in the waters concerned.

"The curfew exemption permit should not be granted for areas which are too close to the southern Philippines border or are risky, as fishermen can become easy targets for cross-border criminals.

"The KPDs and ESSCOM should identify the areas which are most at risk, and not allow any activity to be carried out there, especially during the curfew period," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said this when commenting on the kidnapping of three Indonesians in the waters of Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, while they were fishing, at 11.40pm on Saturday.

The kidnapping took place in the curfew zone, and the trawler they were in possessed a permit to fish in the area.

The curfew from 7pm to 5am, involves waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

Commenting further, Mohd Zaki said MPSS had proposed that exemption permits only be granted for areas that were not too risky, so that kidnappings could be avoided.

"In addition, ongoing studies should also be done to identify high risk areas," he said.

At the same time, Mohd Zaki hoped that sea fishermen would consider all safety factors, and always take precautions when given a permit to operate during the curfew period.

"The safety of assets and employees should not be jeapordised. Do not just completely depend on the service or the presence of the security forces alone.

Employers should play a role, and take collective responsibility," he said.