Two secret society leaders nabbed, 20 henchmen rounded up in Selangor

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested 22 suspected secret society members, including two gang leaders, following a fracas at an entertainment outlet in Brickfields last year that was caught on video.

During the Nov 25 incident, a policeman who was gathering intelligence there was also surrounded by the group and assaulted.

Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said Ops Cantas Sinecura was launched on Wednesday (April 21) to round up members of two groups, Gang 18 Dato Suresh and Gang 21 Sunder, that were active around Puchong, Serdang, Kapar and Klang.

"Investigations showed both groups were involved in secret society activities and violent crimes such as rioting, extortion and causing hurt.

"We arrested the suspects around Puchong, Serdang, Kapar and Klang. Twelve of them were from Gang 18 while the other 10 were from Gang 21, including both gang leaders," he said in a statement on Friday (April 23).

Comm Huzir said the suspects were aged between 35 and 48 and most had records for causing hurt, fighting, robbery and other crimes.

"Investigations will be carried out under the Societies Act, for voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapons, and the Prevention of Crime Act.

"We launched the operations after a video began circulating in which Gang 18 rioted at an entertainment outlet in Brickfieds and caused hurt to people there.

"A policeman, who was coincidentally gathering intelligence there, was also surrounded and shouted at before being assaulted by the group," he said.

In another incident in Kapar on Jan 21, Gang 21 members armed with parangs and sticks attacked and seriously injured a victim.

"We have also detected several other video clips depicting aggressive acts by the group.

"Investigations showed at least 10 police reports have been lodged involving the group," he said, adding that the video clips had raised concerns among the community.

Comm Huzir said police viewed the matter seriously and would not compromise with secret societies and gangsters.

"Stern action will be taken against any group which breaks the law and jeopardises public order," he said.