TAWAU: Problems caused by the curfew in the east coast cannot be taken lightly and the police want to know the problems faced by the people, especially by those making a living from the sea.
Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said in view of the problems caused by the curfew from dusk till dawn, he was meeting coastal village heads and fishermen to personally hear from them through dialogues organized at the respective districts affected by the curfew.
He said all six district police chiefs had been given the authority to issue out permits to those who needed to travel to sea during the curfew.
He urged those in the coastal areas to cooperate during the dialogues with village heads.
“Even though the curfew is only at the waters, all aspects are considered,” he said yesterday at the Tawau Library auditorium.
He said for those operating ‘bagang’, a fishing platform for catching anchovies, they could go to the platform before 6pm and return to shore after 6am as it is a permanent structure at sea.
However, he said they must stay at the platform during the curfew.
He advised them to register with the nearest police station so the police would have their records.
Jalaluddin also called on those living at the coastal areas to be the eyes and ears of the government as good networking was needed.
Meanwhile, he said since the curfew was imposed, he had received good comments from the public and even tourists, as it was calmer and they felt more confident now.
“They said they were not worried and asked that the curfew be extended,” he said.