Curfew in ESSZone extended to May 5

KOTA KINABALU, April 21 — The curfew in waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) that was ended at 6pm yesterday has been extended until May 5, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jas.

He said during the curfew, which covered the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran, people living in the areas were required to stay indoors and were not allowed to be in the waters between 6pm and 6am.

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Source: malaymail.com

Philippines Kills Suspected Abu Sayyaf Bomb Expert, Vows ‘Relentless’ Operations against Militants

The Philippine government vowed Monday to pursue Abu Sayyaf militants relentlessly after the military said it killed a suspected senior member of the group in the wake of a Friday clash that left 11 soldiers dead in southern Sulu province.

Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group would continue without letup after last week’s gunfight on Sulu’s Jolo Island in which 14 other army members were wounded.

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Source: benarnews.org

MMEA beefs up patrol at hotspots

By IMRAN HILMY

LANGKAWI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has deployed more of its assets at sea and air to beef up patrols and increase enforcement during the movement control order (MCO) period nationwide.

Kedah and Perlis MMEA deputy operations director Kapt Zulinda Ramly said the increase of the assets was meant to prevent cross-border criminal activities, which include human trafficking, contraband smuggling, piracy and encroachment of foreign fishermen, especially at hotspots in the maritime zone along the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea and Sulu Sea.

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Source: thestar.com.my

ReCAAP ISC: Piracy and Sea Robbery Incidents Tripled in Asia During First Quarter of 2020

A total of 29 incidents of armed robbery against ships (comprising 28 actual incidents and one attempted incident) were reported in Asia during January-March 2020 compared to 10 incidents (comprising nine actual incidents and one attempted incident) during January-March 2019. This accounts for a three-fold increase in the total number of incidents reported during January-March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. All incidents reported during January-March 2020 were armed robbery against ships. No piracy incident was reported.

The increase of incidents during January- March 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore Strait. Three incidents were reported in Bangladesh during January-March 2020 compared to no incident during January-March 2019. Six incidents were reported in India during January-March 2020 compared to no incident during the same period in 2019. In Indonesia, six incidents were reported during January-March 2020 compared to three incidents during the same period in 2019. In the Philippines, four incidents were reported during January-March 2020 compared to two incidents during the same period in 2019.

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Source: recaap.org/

To download the ReCAAP 2020 Q1 Report, please click here.

Navy, MMEA to chase out illegal fishing vessels

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency have stepped up their surveillance to check encroachment by foreign fishing vessels which could potentially spread Covid-19.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the two agencies would chase out any fishing vessels found encroaching Malaysian waters.

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Source: thestar.com.my

MCO: Police tighten security, increase personnel patrolling borders, national waters

THE Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has tightened border security nationwide and increased the number of personnel patrolling the national waters and borders throughout the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) director, Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said to date, a total of 2,197 officers and personnel of the General Operations Force (GOF) had been deployed at the country’s border checkpoints to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants.

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Source: themalaysianreserve.com

Sabah police: Curfew in ESSZone extended to April 20

KOTA KINABALU, April 5 — The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) which ends 6 pm today has been extended until April 20.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jas said with the extension of the curfew, people living in the area were required to stay indoors and would not be allowed to be in the waters there between 6 pm and 6 am during the period.

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Source: malaymail.com

Abu Sayyaf team heads towards Malaysia on the hunt for kidnap targets

Sam Chambers

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre has been alerted by Malaysian intelligence that an Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom group left Jolo Island in the far south of the Philippines, yesterday destined for Sabah, Malaysia.

Security consultants Ambrey suggest the target area is understood to be around Felda Sahabat and Tambisan.

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Source: splash247.com

Commentary: A cat-and-mouse game between pirates and Southeast Asian maritime security authorities

By Eric Frécon

Despite stepped-up law enforcement in Southeast Asia’s seas, today’s pirates are one step ahead of authorities, says Eric Frécon.

SINGAPORE: “A lion never dies; it sleeps”, says an African proverb.

The same can be said for Southeast Asian pirates and sea robbers, long neglected after the academic and diplomatic world chose to refocus on illegal fishing in the South China Sea in recent years given rising tensions in those disputed waters.

Like the phoenix, regional pirates and sea robbers may rise from the ashes.

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Source: channelnewsasia.com

Law amended to protect jobs of seafarers abducted at sea

Fabian Koh

Seafarers who are abducted by pirates or armed robbers in an attack at sea will stay employed and be paid their salaries while being held captive, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min yesterday.

It does not matter whether the seafarer’s employment contract has expired or that either party to the contract has given notice to suspend or terminate it, he added.

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Source: straitstimes.com