KUALA LUMPUR: Teenagers have reportedly joined gangs or secret societies to ensure protection and security for potential future problems.
Kuala Lumpur police chief, Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, stated that this was revealed during investigations involving 14 teenagers among 61 individuals detained at a gang initiation and oath-taking ceremony in Salak Selatan, Sungai Besi, on Friday (Nov 15).
"Investigations found that the teenagers were recruited by a former student, aged 18, who was also arrested during the raid," he said when contacted on Sunday (Nov 17).
Comm Rusdi noted that five of the teenagers were still in school, while the remaining nine had dropped out.
"They were promised protection and security if they faced any issues in the future after joining the gang.
"They were also assured of assistance in welfare matters and support if they were attacked at school," he explained.
The raid on a shophouse in Salak Selatan was carried out by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bukit Aman, along with personnel from the Kuala Lumpur and Cheras police headquarters, at around 11am on Friday (Nov 15).
During the operation, a group of individuals was discovered on the premises, apparently in the process of inducting 14 teenagers into an association suspected of having links to the 360 gang.
Initial checks indicated that the teenagers were attending the ceremony to be formally inducted by senior members.
Among those present at the ceremony were 10 senior citizens aged between 61 and 91, 37 adults aged between 18 and 59, and 14 teenagers. Some existing members were found to have prior criminal records.
It is understood that the gang was operating under the guise of an association registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
Police also seized several items believed to have been intended for use in the oath-taking ritual.
All those detained have been taken to the Cheras police headquarters for further action.
