Chinese have the most gangs; Indian gangs the most members: Police

DESPITE the successes of police's special operations in cracking down on secret societies in the last three years, there are still more than 100 gangs in the country, with a total of over 9,000 members.
Police have always regarded secret societies as a thorn in their flesh as they are the main crooks behind the illicit drug trade and the perpetrators of a host of other crimes, including protection rackets, illegal gambling and vice activities.
Police statistics showed that Chinese, who make up 23.2% of Malaysia's population, have as many as 65 gangs, which puts them at the top among the races in terms of having the most number of secret societies.
Although Indians, who account for only 7% of the population, have only 18 secret societies – two fewer than the 20 headed by Malays – their gangs are the most active.
Bukit Aman Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice Division (D7) principal assistant director SAC Rohaimi Md Isa revealed the racial breakdown of the secret societies in the country during an interview with China Press.
He said the country currently has 105 secret societies with 576 branches and 9,042 active members.
"Chinese, who number slightly over seven million in Malaysia's population, are behind 65 secret societies. The 65 secret societies have 167 branches and 3,113 active members," he said.
Rohaimi added that Malays have 20 gangs, with 120 branches and 1,513 active members.
"As for Indians, who account for about two million of the population, they have 18 gangs. These gangs have a total of 267 branches and 4,143 active members."
Making a racial comparison of the secret societies, he said Chinese gangs like to split up while Indian gangs have the most loyal members.
Members of Chinese secret societies often set up their own gangs once they become more established, he said, this being the reason why Chinese gangs account for 62% of the total despite having a relatively small population.
Indian gang members, on the other hand, rarely form splinter gangs, which explains why Indian gangs are long established, he said.
He added that last year alone, police rounded up 1,541 gang members under Ops Cantas Khas and crippled several notorious gangs including Geng 04, Geng 24 and Geng 360.