A number of local heavyweight politicians are said to be backing secret ‘gangster’ societies, with several even becoming the advisers to the gangs.

According to Sin Chew Daily , these groups are part of 10 secret societies, comprising Chinese, Malay and Indian gangster groups, which will be named by the Home Ministry soon.

gengster graffiti on police station wall 210813 The list comprises Indian-based “04 gang”, “08 gang”, “21 gang” and “36 gang”; Chinese-dominated “Hong Shun Tang”, “3821”, “Wu Se Qi” (five-coloured flag), “Hong Men” and “Hua Ji Dang”; and the Malay-based “Geng 3 Calit”.

The Chinese daily also quoted sources as saying that for the first time, the government wanted to launch a “war” against the secret societies by releasing the list to the public.

A source also told the daily that Chinese gangsters are actively engaging in illegal businesses, including selling pirated DVDs, operating karaoke outlets, conducting gambling activities, trafficking drugs and offering prostitution services.

“Indian gangsters are comparatively more aggressive as they collect protection fees from hawkers and pub operators as well as becoming shooters.

“Meanwhile, Malay gangsters are more active in ‘taking care’ of construction sites by collecting money there,” the source said.

NONE “Malay’s ‘Geng 3 Calit’ is the most active group and the head of every area is called ayahanda (father),” the source added.

The source also pointed out the similarities among the secret societies run by the various race groups - their members are aged between 15 and 30, while ageing members will usually step down and get involved in legal businesses.

Meanwhile, Sin Chew Daily also reported that Bukit Aman’s Secret Societies, Gaming and Anti-Vice division chief Abdul Jalil Hassan had submitted the list to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( above ), who will release it soon.

There has been a surge in serious crime incidents of late, which the police and Ahmad Zahid have pinned on the former Emergency Ordinance (EO) detainees, who were released in 2011 when the Ordinance was repealed.

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