KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — Allegations of heavyweight politicians backing secret societies are not new.

MCA vice-president Datuk Chor Chee Heung said these allegations had been around since the 1950s and had been denied by those allegedly involved.

“Politicians are known to everybody and it is inevitable that they even know people within the secret societies as they are part of the community,” he said.

As politicians, they did not get involved in criminal activities “but it’s more like providing help and welfare to those who ask for it”.

“If our members have criminal records we will take action. If they do not, than I doubt we can do anything,” he said.

Another MCA vice-president, Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, said certain politicians had knowledge of the gangs in their areas but kept their distance from them.

“Politicians have a duty to take care of their respective areas,” he said.

Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is also a party vice-president, said he would wait for Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to release the list of secret societies before making any comment.

A Chinese daily had reported yesterday that the names of 10 secret societies, comprising Chinese, Malay and Indian gangs, would be released by the ministry soon.

The gangs are understood to be the Indian-based 04 gang, 08 gang, 21 gang and 36 gang, the Chinese-dominated Hong Shun Tang, 3821, Wu Se Q (five-coloured flag), Hong Men and Hua Ji Dang, and the Malay-based Geng 3 Calit.

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

MIC Youth head T. Mohan said if there was evidence of politicians colluding with secret societies then action must be taken against them. He said they must have concrete evidence before acting.

MIC strategic director Vell Paari said it would be a good idea to release a list of politicians involved with gangsters.

“We must let the law take its own course. Publishing the names will also give the public confidence that the police are tackling these activities head-on,” he said.