The curfew over the waters off seven districts within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) has been extended to May 3, effective Monday, between 7pm and 5am.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the curfew covered the districts of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

"Residents in the area are required to stay indoors during the curfew," he said in a statement here last night.

He said the curfew extension was to ensure the safety and well-being of Sabahans and the presence of security forces would provide confidence to the chalet operators and the fishermen.

Abdul Rashid said the curfew would also protect Sabah from intrusion by terrorists who posed a threat to the safety of researchers and tourists visiting the resort islands.

"District police chiefs have been given authority to issue permits to applicants carrying out fishery activities and in emergency situations," he said.