Underworld gangs target to recruit students

KUALA LUMPUR – Federal police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said school students are among the target of underworld gangs to recruit.

"It is to increase the number of people of the gang and gives the gangs strength in numbers," he told Sinar Harian.

Jalil said the involvement of students in the gangs usually consisted of students with disciplinary issues or those who had a rough family upbringing.

"The involvements are there, but it is not serious and could still be prevented," he said.

The police had routinely conducted preventive programmes with schools involving talks, awareness programmes, monitoring and guidance to help problematic students.

"We established School Liaison Officers by placing officers in schools to share information and actions regarding gang partnerships.

"Based on the police statistics since 2016 until March earlier, as many as 178 students were involved and caught based on violent criminal activities relating to gangs," he said.

He said the process of recruiting new gang members usually started with identifying suitable recruits.

"This will be done by gang members who were tasked to find new members through any means necessary either by influencing, persuading, tricking or forcing the students to join the gang.

“Once the students agreed, the existing members would monitor them until it is their time to take their oath of allegiance," he said.

A ritual ceremony would be conducted based on the respective gang’s approach.

"The process is usually done in the woods or temples.

“Our constant monitoring led them to change their place and timing of the swearing-in ceremony, sometimes disguised as dinner or other programmes,” he said.

Despite the police efforts, Jalil said there were also gangs that disguised themselves as non-profit organisations (NGOs) that were also being monitored by the CID.

Abd Jalil however said thus far, no celebrities or politicians were detected to be members of the underworld gangs.

"Sometimes politicians or celebrities are not aware that the programme or functions held was held by gangs disguising themselves as an NGOs.

"The politicians or celebrities should contact the police before attending the program or function," he said.

He said it was clear that his team was always monitoring whether elements of gangs were identified, such as the presence of flag, bracelet, keychain, car sticker, official shirt or body tattoo.

"Recently, there were multiple short videos that went viral, showing gang activities flaunting their gang’s logo or image of the groups and this are against the law," he said.

He stressed that his team had never permitted underworld gangs to have a parade or assembly such as funeral and anniversary ceremonies.

"We continuously conduct intelligence gathering on activities related to the underworld gang.

“The Gangsterism Unit at the district or the contingent level would monitor any activities relating to the group and strict action would be taken to those found violating the law,” he said.