GEORGE TOWN, Sept 29 ― There are some 8,000 gang members in Penang and 12 active gangs, state police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi revealed this morning.
He said the police have detained about 50 suspects believed to be involved in secret societies under the Prevention of Crime Act since last year.
“We are closely monitoring the active members of the 12 active gangs in the state and we will take action to arrest (them) if they break any law,” he said.
The 12 active triads are believed to be split in four groups: Hua Kee, Ang Beng Hooi, the “Indian thugs gang” and “Malay thugs gang”, he said.
Abdul Rahim said the active gang under Hua Kee is known as “04”, while there are four active gangs under Ang Beng Hooi ― “Sio Sam Ong”, “24”, “Pneh” and “Ang Kim Leng”.
Under the “Indian thug gang”, there are two active groups - “08 Indian” and “04 Indian” - and under the “Malay thug gang”, the active group is known as “Double 7”.
“These gangs are active throughout the state,” Abdul Rahim said, adding that the 8,000 gang members include those in gangs that are inactive or dormant.
The police chief warned the gang members that they are constantly under surveillance by the cops.
“We know about them and we are monitoring them closely,” he said.
