Police have set up a special task force to monitor the movements of several gangs allegedly supported by very very important persons (VVIPs) tasked with intimidating and forcing voters to vote certain individuals on polling day.

"We have called in several of these influential people for questioning, and if such acts persist, we will not hesitate to detain those responsible," said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Mohd Bakri Zinin.

''We have information that these gangs were already making plans as to where they were going to create trouble on Sunday," he said.

NONE ''We have warned these gangs and will not hesitate to detain them for strongarming and threatening voters."

Bakri ( left ) noted investigations by the task force revealed that the gangs not only targeted people at ceramah, but also visited them at their homes.

''This is clearly a violation of the law and we will not tolerate this,” he stressed.

He said the task force had been monitoring underworld gangs, organisations and, supporters clubs formed recently simply to create trouble during these elections.

Bakri added that police had first come across these gangs following messages being circulated on social media networks.

'No reason to be afraid on Sunday'

However, he guaranteed that the voting process on polling day would progress smoothly.

"Those who vote on Sunday have no reason to be afraid. There will be enough policemen stationed all over to ensure voters’ safety and to ensure the process is done peacefully," he said.

Bakri also assured the people that police would investigate all cases of intimidation and asked those who faced such problems to lodge police reports.

He claimed that police had received 3,079 election-related reports, which resulted in 101 arrests since nomination day.

Twenty suspects had been charged with numerous election offences.

Bakri said most of the cases involved sabotage, arson attacks, damaging flags and banners, and fights between supporters.

In addition, there were also reports on slanderous remarks made by politicians and supporters, whereas it is noted that 86 reports have been received of ceramah held without permits.

- The Malay Mail