Foreign gangs formed to take care of their own

KUALA LUMPUR – The police have detected the existence of underworld gangs among foreigners which aims to take care of their own people from being influenced or harassed by local gangs.

"The groups forced their own fellow countrymen to give protection money and are involved in violent crimes in this country," said Federal police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan.

He said territorial disputes took place between local gangs and the foreign gangs due to the issue of collection of protection money which led to a fight.

"The incident at Selayang Market on June 2016 was one of the fights caused by the foreign gang going against Gang 36 for intruding their area where they collected protection money from foreigners.

“Both gangs were caught and charged under Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca)," he said.

Jalil said the police were continuously monitoring the foreigners’ activities in the country.

"Actions will be taken to those for disrupting peace including foreign gang members,” he said.

He said officers and personnel from D7 (CID’s Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division) were equipped with knowledge and training to curb such activities.

"We will ensure the peace and safety of the people," he said.

He warned any gangs that the police would take action in accordance with the law.

"We can even take actions under Section 47, 50, 52(3) and 56 of the Societies Act 1966. We won't compromise with these acts from gangs and their members," he said.