Former cop among four gangsters nabbed for extortion

KUALA LUMPUR: A former policeman was among four gangsters nabbed for extorting a businessman in Banting.

The former cop, who had been sacked and goes by the gang name of "Abang Long Balang", was arrested along with three other gang members in Banting on Saturday (May 25) after the businessman, who ran a lorry company, lodged a police report on the extortion.

Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat said the 27-year-old businessman was summoned by the gangsters after they cornered one of his lorries and its driver around 3pm on May 17.

"When he arrived, he met with Abang Long Balang who threatened to beat up the businessman if he did not pay monthly protection money.

"The businessman was then forced into a 4x4 vehicle driven by another man called 'Lan Taro' who demanded the victim to pay RM18,000 every month or risk having all his lorries torched," he said at a press conference at the Ampang Jaya police headquarters on Monday (May 27).

SAC Fadzil said that Lan Taro was also one of the four arrested.

"We are also in the process of tracking several other gang members involved in this case. Initial investigations show that the four are part of Gang 77 and Gang 30," he said.

He added that police were only able arrest these underworld criminals because the businessman was brave enough to come forward.

"I want to highlight that we are very serious about eliminating all underworld activity and urge anyone with information to come forward like this businessman," he said.

Meanwhile, Ampang Jaya got a new sheriff in town with the appointment of Asst Comm Noor Azmi Yusof as its new OCPD.

He takes over from Asst Comm Hazmah Alias who is retiring.

"I look forward to serving the people in this district to the best of my abilities.

"One of the areas I am targeting is illegal gambling and I hope to get the full cooperation of the community in carrying out my duties," he said at the handing over of duties ceremony at Ampang Jaya police headquarters on Monday.

The ceremony was officiated by Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin who said Ampang Jaya is in good hands.

"The crime index so far this year has gone down by 12.04%. I am certain that the new OCPD will continue to strive for further reduction of crime in the district," he said.