PETALING JAYA, June 2 — Gangsterism among teenagers and school-goers is becoming a trend and greater monitoring is needed, the National Parent Teacher Association Collaborative Council (PIBGN) said.
Its president, Prof Madya Datuk Mohamad Ali Hasan, said continuous monitoring by the police and authorities was required in and around school premises.
“Gangsterism is a form of indiscipline that is affecting both boys and girls, primary and secondary students as well as those in institutions of higher education,” he said.
“The police liaison officer appointed to schools should play an active role by being present in school and parent teacher association meetings as well as monitor school assemblies.”
He was responding to an incident where a 14-year-old who refused to join a gang was kicked and punched by a group of teenagers believed to be gang members and left in a hypermarket toilet in Bukit Tinggi, Klang, on Friday.
Ali said although schools were doing their part to weed out gangsterism, these efforts may not be enough.
“Uniformed bodies can conduct talks to create more awareness on the dangers of joining gangs,” he said.
Klang Selatan OCPD ACP Kamarul Zaman Mamat said this was not the first time students were involved in gangsterism.
“It has happened before, but does not occur often.
"We do not see this as a serious issue because it is under control and the police are on the case,” he said.
Kamarul said most students who joined gangs had done so under the influence of their friends.
He urged those already involved in gangs and who wanted to quit but were too afraid to do so, to contact the nearest police station.
“Come to the police. We will take action to find out who the gang leader is,” he said.
“If the student has not committed any criminal activities, we will not take any action against them.”
