Gangsterism numbers have ministry scrambling for solution

Youth and Sports Ministry to organise a seminar soon in search of moves to curb ethnic Indian involvement in gangsterism.

PETALING JAYA: The alarming figure that 71 percent of gang members are Indians, has sent the Youth and Sports Ministry scrambling to come up with ways to arrest the numbers and eradicate the problem.

The ministry will be organising a national special forum soon which participants will comprise non-governmental organisations, political parties and government agencies.

During the special forum, the presenters and participants will discuss on the issues in a bid to come up with a short- and long-term solution to the social problem.

“Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin will give a keynote address at the special forum. We want to gather ideas on how to curb this problem on the short-term and long-term basis. For a start, let’s get all the proposals,” Youth and Sports deputy minister M Saravanan said today.

Speaking to FMT, the MIC vice-president said although there were many views on how to curb the problem, it must be put in perspective.

“Tackling this problem is not going to be an overnight affair. It takes the right strategy. As immediate measure, we must look at rehabilitation. We also need to concentrate on employment. This is where there government can come in.

“On the long term, we need to put in place a system for youth once they leave Form Five. We also need to educate children on gangsterism and its dangers as early as when they are in primary schools. I am aware that there are various views,” he said.

Saravanan hoped that the government and especially Khairy and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would pay personal attention to this problem, which threatens the safety of the people.

Police taking stern action

The social menace caused by Indian youth has become a national concern over the last few months with the police vowing stern action. Five men, suspected to be hardcore criminals, were shot dead in Penang earlier this month with weapons found on them.

This incident sparked a furore among the family members of the five, which the family members alleged that the suspects were asleep when they were ambushed and shot by the police in the wee hours of the morning when they could have been arrested instead.

Last week, police criminal investigations department head Hadi Ho Abdullah revealed that 71 percent of triad members were Indian with the Chinese and Malays trailing far behind. The Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has warned that the authorities will not hesitate to use firearms when tackling the problem.

The police have also started an operation dubbed, Ops Cantas to curb gangsterism and the number of those arrested is rising steadily, running into the hundreds. The police has also said the special operation does not have a life span.

He said the government should not only depend on the police to combat this problem but also solicit the help of the community.

Saravanan said a holistic effort was needed including holding talks with those involved in gang-led activities.

“We must also have a mechanism for those who want to repent and mend their ways. These should be handled by the police. The community too, has a big role to play. Lets hope that this seminar would be for better things to come,” Saravanan added.