72 underworld gangs on police radar
KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 72 underworld gangs are now on the police radar for potentially posing threat to the country.
Federal police Crime Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the groups have been deemed illegal organisations illegally established under Section 5(1) of the Societies Act 1966.
"A total of 49 groups were gazetted on Aug 28, 2013 while 23 other groups were gazetted on Feb 16, 2015.
“The decisions were made following our intel that found 72 groups with cumulative of 9,042 members were involved in gangs activities and gangsterism," he said at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters, here, recently.
He said the gangs in Malaysia consisted of Malay, Chinese, Indian and as well as Sabah and Sarawak native gangs.
"It is undeniable that these gangs pose threats to the public and disrupt peace among the society when they operate their illegal activities and crimes among the public," he said.
Jalil said these groups would often use violence as a means of completing their agendas.
"However, constant monitoring and preventive actions are made by the police through its operation codenamed ‘Ops Cantas’, enforcement of the Crime Prevention Act 1959 (Poca) along with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 to curb the gang members’ activities," he said.
Jalil said that based on the record involving the groups from 2016 up to March this year, the crimes frequently committed were riots, murders, extortion, treacherous acts, crime and intimidation.
"Other than that, there are groups that owned firearms and other dangerous weapons," he said.
Jalil said the CID’s Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) had always focused on efforts to control and eradicate the gangs from continuously disrupting public order.
"Through ‘Ops Cantas’, enforcement efforts are made to eradicate the triad gangs. The target of this operation is to track and capture individuals that will become a member or lead the groups," he said.
Jalil stated that individuals with tattoos of gang groups would be considered an offence under Section 52(3) of the Societies Act 1966.
"Actions will be taken towards areas with an evident display of gang logos in accordance to Section 50(3)," he said.
He said throughout 2016 to March 2022, a total of 3,983 members were caught under the Penal Code, Firearms Act 1971 and Corrosion, Explosives Act and Dangerous Weapons 1958.
"A total of 3,644 individuals were caught under the Societies Act 1966 for involvement with gangs with offences relating to ownership of logos or signs, swearing in ceremonies, tattoos and showing gang symbols on signboards," he said.
He said within the same time, 589 members of the groups were held under Poca for committing violent crimes.
"A total of 319 individuals were nabbed under Sosma due to organised crime activities," he said.
He said the groups were inclined toward activities relating to drug distribution, extortion, gambling, prostitution and trafficking.
