JOHOR BARU: Twenty-five members from three secret societies were arrested following a video of a fight between two gang members which went viral on social media.
Johor Police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said they were detained during a joint operation Ops Cantas involving officers from Bukit Aman and state police.
He said the suspects, aged between 14 and 58, from Hong Hong San, Ngo Sek Kee and Gee Ah Heng gangs were caught in several locations in Selangor, Pahang, Melaka, Muar and Johor Baru from Oct 5 to Oct 22.
“The 41-second video of the fight between members of Hong Hong San and Ngo Sek Kee at Jalan Marin 10, Taman Marin, Sungai Abong, Muar led to the arrest of the 25 men,’’ Comm Kamarul Zaman said in a press conference.
He said in the video, two secondary school students were beaten and the victims were forced to join the two secret societies.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said an initial investigation found the fighting resulted from a misunderstanding during the mooncake festival at a coffee shop in Sungai Abong.
“The three suspects also have tattoos, which have connection to the secret societies, on their bodies,’’ he said.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said the case of beating the two students was investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code and Section 45 of the Societies Act 1966.
He said for the fighting incident involving two gang members, the case was investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code and Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said six men had been charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code and Section 45 of the Societies Act 1966 at the Muar Magistrate Court on Oct 17.
He said two accused admitted to the charge and were fined RM3,000 while another four accused pleaded not guilty.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said for the fighting incident, nine men pleaded guilty under Section 148 and Section 40 of the Penal Code at the Muar Magistrate’s Court on Oct 29, and were fined RM3,000.
“We are monitoring the trend of gang members eyeing to recruit students in schools in urban areas to engage in criminal activities, including drug trafficking,’’ he said.
Comm Kamarul Zaman advised the victims, teachers and parents to report any such incident to the police.
