Gangs go back to schools
After lying low for a while, the triads and gangs are back recruiting students. Several videos showing schoolboys and their friends from Gang 24 celebrating their ‘special day’ in April have gone viral and police have picked up 18 youths, 13 of them students. Selangor police have also set up a special task force to keep an eye on schools where the gangs are believed to be active.
KLANG: The school outside which a group of hooligans caused a ruckus is known for gangland activities, according to students and those doing business nearby.
A Form Four student who identified herself only as Nadia said gangsterism was a normal thing at SMK Sri Andalas in Taman Sri Andalas.
“It has been going on for years and I know some of our schoolmates are involved in gangsterism. They behave badly at school and are not afraid to say that they have friends who can ‘take care’ of them.
“They like to loiter around the school compound when school ends, with other youths from outside.
“My friends and I try to avoid them at school because we don’t want any trouble,” she said when met outside the school here yesterday.
A check at the school saw a strong police presence – a two-man team in a patrol car was stationed at the school’s main entrance.
A motorcycle patrol unit and traf- fic policemen were also seen frequently patrolling the area.
Police were also keeping watch at SMK Raja Mahadi in Taman Klang Jaya and SMK Kampung Jawa in Jalan Kota Roja.
A senior officer from the Klang South district police headquarters (IPD) said the gathering was a common practice for Gang 24, which celebrated April 24 every year as its “significant day”.
“Since April 24 this year is a public holiday, they brought the celebrations forward to the 20th,” he said.
A hawker who has been selling snacks and drinks outside the school compound for the past five years said it was common to see students and youths revving their motorcycle engines and behaving rowdily.
“It happens a few times a week,” said the 45-year-old, who only want- ed to be known as Ahmad.
When approached outside the school, a police officer said they had been tasked with monitoring schools in the area for suspicious activity following the arrests.
Many youths who were not students were seen loitering near the school compound, but there was no rowdy activity.
Another officer from the Klang South IPD said the brazen behaviour of some students and youths showing their affiliation with gangsters at schools was nothing more than a way to attract the attention of potential recruits.
“They want to impress on other students their capability to be bad, as they know it appeals to those going through puberty and showing signs of teen rebelliousness,” he said.
He added that those involved were believed to be from Gang 24, Gang 21 and Gang 08.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said the school authorities had been told to investigate and that the state Education Department would submit a report on the incident.