Get out of Dodge: Gangs turning Julau into 'Wild West' to be dealt with, says Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Claims of criminal elements running rampant in Julau, Sarawak and turning it into a "Wild West" town will be investigated thoroughly, says the Home Minister.

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said he was briefed directly on the matter by Julau MP Datuk Larry Sng.

ALSO READ: Unhappy with RM5 angpow from Julau MP, four men arrested after issuing threats

"He explained the situation and I immediately shared it with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

"The Julau OCPD has also issued a statement that arrests have been made and investigations are underway," he told reporters after visiting the General Operations Force (GOF) Central Brigade Headquarters in Cheras on Friday (Feb 16).

IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and Bukit Aman Logistics Department director Datuk Seri Sahabudin Abd Manan also attended the visit.

Saifuddin said he believed police would tackle the matter immediately.

ALSO READ: ‘Act before Julau and Pakan turn into Wild West’

On Thursday (Feb 15), Sng called on Bukit Aman to restore law and order in the once-peaceful Julau and Pakan districts before they turn into "the Wild West".

In a Facebook post, the Sarawakian lawmaker claimed that local gangsters have been making life miserable for locals with their illegal activities.

"As I was making my rounds visiting the Chinese community in Julau who were celebrating the Lunar New Year, I came across some local gangsters who were obviously looking to cause trouble.

"Despite not being injured during the incident, it has since come to my attention how quickly the once-peaceful rural town now resembles that of one in the Wild West," he wrote.

ALSO READ: Gangsters demanded angpow so I gave them RM5 ones meant for kids, says Sng

Sng also claimed that over the course of a year, the introduction of online gaming had carved up Sarawak’s cities and towns into various districts controlled by gangsters from different groups.

It was reported on Friday that police had arrested several suspected gangster who allegedly intimidated Sng and his entourage during Chinese New Year celebrations on Sunday (Feb 11).

They demanded angpow from the MP and he gave them red packets containing RM5 that were supposed to be given to children.

Dissatisfied, the men allegedly accosted Sng later and he subsequently lodged a police report. The men were then arrested on Monday (Feb 12), police said.