Ruse allows reporters to observe tontos at work

Observing the observer: A tonto (red and black shirt) tailing the ministry vehicle on a motorcycle along Jalan Larut in George Town to monitor their immediate whereabouts.

GEORGE TOWN: The tonto’s motorcycle revved as the rider tailed an enforcement unit the moment the team left the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry’s office in Lebuh Downing here.

Unbeknownst to the tonto, the enforcement officers took him for a ride for an hour around town.

This drive was staged by the officers on Tuesday so that reporters could observe tontos at work.

Ministry officers said the tontos would station themselves near the ministry everyday.

Some would circle around the compound on their motorcycles while a few would be permanent fixtures at a nearby bus station day and night.

Tontos are a group of informers engaged by operators of illegal businesses to monitor the movement of enforcement officers. These tontos will quickly inform their “employers” of raids and roadblocks.

Tontos often use intimidation tactics and are not afraid to attack enforcement officers.

For example, previous cases have seen Road Transport Department cars being hit and even burned by the tontos.

During Tuesday’s stunt at about 5pm, a tonto could be seen parking his motorcycle at the bus stop opposite the ministry building before taking a seat at the bus stop.

He then rode off, only to come back with two others to continue staking out the ministry.

Approached by The Star reporters, the tonto at the bus stop said it was his second day on the job.

“I learnt about the job from a friend who is also a tonto.

“We work for illegal DVD sellers and can earn RM50 to RM60 a day by just waiting here every day at a particular time and tipping the traders off by walkie-talkie,” said the youth who declined to be named.

The ministry’s director Mohd Nawardi Saad said they were always being watched by these tontos.

Mohd Nawardi said the tontos could not be reported as there was no proof of wrongdoings.

Meanwhile, a state Immigration Department spokesman said they also faced tontos mostly at entertainment outlets.

“Over the years, we have become so experienced that we are able to spot the tontos and they do not affect our work,” he added.