GEORGE TOWN: The days of 'Gang 24,' Penang's notorious secret society are numbered as police turn on the heat on the nine members.
Police have learnt that the gang had teamed up with another secret society, 'Sio Sam Ong' (Three Little Emperors Gang).
Last week, investigations revealed that members of 'Gang 24' - noted for extortion, protection rackets and gang fights - were currently embroiled in an internal tussle for power and 'territorial' rights.
Hence, the nine members, who got wind of the police dragnet aimed at them, have gone into hiding.
Bernama learnt that the fugitives might have fled to Perak to avoid police detection.
Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the fight amongst 'Gang 24' members could be due to territorial disputes.
"We have identified about eight to nine of the gang members involved in the gang fight (last week) and we will hunt them down if they do not surrender.
"Those involved in the fight will be charged under the Prevention of Crime Act 2013. We believe they are in hiding at neighbouring states," he told reporters.
Abdul Rahim said police believed that 'Gang 24' had teamed up with the 'Sio Sam Ong' gang to commit crimes in the state.
"I've warned them not to create problems and next, we will identify each of them where they usually commit crimes and intensify the crackdown on the gangsters," he added.
He urged the public to lodge reports of extortion activities.
Other active secret societies in Penang are the 'Phneah', 'Ang Kim Leng', 'Malay Gang 77' and Indian-based 'Gang 04' and 'Gang 08.'
Over 30,100 people had been screened since the launch of 'Ops Cantas Khas' in August last year, and of the number, 6,334 people were detained for various offences.
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