12 secret societies active in Penang, says police

GEORGE TOWN: Twelve secret societies are active in Penang especially in extorting the public for protection money, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said today.
He said they had a total membership of more than 8,000.
"Police have identified the gangs and among those being hunted down are two 04 gangs, 08, 24,77, phneah, sio sam ong and ang kim leng, which are suspected to be involved in crimes, distributing drugs and extorting protection money.
"We are also monitoring several other secret societies which are not so active to ensure public peace is maintained," he told reporters after attending an appreciation ceremony for security guard, Mohd Najib Ahmad, 30, who shot dead a bank robber in Sungai Dua, here, on Aug 28.
Abdul Rahim said 52 individuals, who were suspected to be members of secret societies in Penang, were detained from January to Sept 27.
"To date, only three gangster groups are found to be involved in turf wars," he said.
In another development, Abdul Rahim said 156 members of the Penang Volunteer Patrol Squad (PPS), who detained on Aug 31, must present themselves at the North East Police District Headquarters, Jalan Patani tomorrow, to extend their police bail.
On Aug 31, 156 members of PPS including its chairman, State Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh were detained for flouting warnings against carrying out any activity after it was found not registered with the Registrar of Societies. – Bernama