Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief DCP Hazani Ghazali said in a statement that firecrackers were normally used at holiday resorts and islands in the Esszone to usher in the auspicious occasion.
“Esscom would like to remind all government agencies, NGOs, companies, holiday resorts and private individuals in the Esszone to abide by the regulations to help maintain peace and security,” said Hazani.
“Those who have received written permission to use firecrackers should inform the nearest district police headquarters as well as forward-operating posts of the police General Operations Force and armed forces of the date, time and location of the intended use of firecrackers.
“All this is aimed at maintaining security and preventing confusion among security forces as a result of the use of firecrackers.”
The sound of firecrackers can be confused with that of gunshots.
Esscom oversees security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), a special security area spanning some 1,700km of coastline in the east coast of Sabah.
Esscom and Esszone were formed following the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion by militants sent by the so-called Sulu sultanate in southern Philippines to stake its territorial claim on Sabah.
The Sulu and Celebes Seas were a hotbed of kidnap-for-ransom and piracy activities by groups such as the notorious Abu Sayyaf from southern Philippines.
The security level in the waters between the three countries was at its highest during the Marawi war between Philippine troops and pro-IS groups between May and October last year.
It was feared that terrorists would flee to Indonesia and Malaysia following the heavy offensive by the Philippine military to flush them out of the city.
Security has vastly improved in the Esszone with no incidents of kidnapping or piracy reported in the area last year.