Perak police deny news report of Mafia existence in fishing villages

IPOH: Perak police have denied a news report in a local daily of the existence of Mafia style criminal activities in the coastal fishing villages of Kuala Sepetang, Bagan Panchor and Pulau Kuala Sanggar.
Acting State police chief Datuk A. Paramasivam said: "We do not the crimes but the report does not reflect the actual situation in these villages.
"Police have not received reports of crimes like snatch thefts, threats or any violent crimes from the public, especially the tourists.
"There are criminal activities, but they are insignificant and it is not necessary to cause any panic to the public," he told reporters here today.
Paramasivam said the news report also questions the integrity of the police force in handling these cases.
He was commenting on a report by a local Malay daily which stated that a Mafia group was involved in illegal land intrusion, murder, smuggling activities, prostitution, gambling and drugs, and controlled casinos.
Tourists flock to Kuala Sepetang, a village famous for its eco-tourism including mangrove swamps.
After the news appeared in the daily, a village head had also lodged a police report in which he claimed the report was untrue.
He also stated that he worries the report may affect the business of traders in the village and tarnish its image.
Paramasivam said in 2013, only one murder was reported. Five people were arrested then but due to insufficient evidence, they could not be charged in court.
Enforcement authorities had detected 36 cases, including smuggling of contraband goods and illegal immigrants in 2014, while from 2013 to 2014, there were 61 drug related cases found.
Other incidents of crime reported include quarrels among groups, which make up only a small number.
Up to this year, a total of 11 motorcycle thefts and break-ins were reported in Kuala Sepetang.
Paramasivam recalled that in the 70s, the villages were controlled by thugs and gangsters. During that time, a person known as "Raja Laut" had been the man behind the crimes.