The marine police arrested four people for defying the curfew in the waters off Kapalai near Semporna on Tuesday.

Sabah region four marine police commander ACP Mohamad Madun said the four, all males aged between 16 and 27, were detained in an operation in the waters at 11.43pm.

"During the operation, the patrol team came across a pump boat in the area and upon investigation found the four on board who failed to show the permit for exemption from the curfew.

All of them were arrested for violating the curfew order," he said in a statement in Semporna today.

He said the marine police also seized a set of diving equipment and two pump boat engines.

Mohamad said the four people were later taken to the Semporna marine police base.

- Bernama