Police have identified schools with gangsterism problems - IGP

He said the directive has been issued to school liaison officers to work with discipline teachers in particular, after Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid gives full leeway to the police to conduct investigations at the schools.

He said schools were also advised not to hide gangsterism issues from the police, instead to come forward so that the problem can be eradicated in the early stage.

"Cooperation with the Ministry of Education has started especially in Selangor where we''re gathering intelligence and information related to students and former students involved in gangsterism. Teachers must not keep quiet about this, by keeping mum, it does not help anyone.

"Parents also need to keep an eye on their children. Steps need to be taken now to overcome this problem, so it does not become a thorn in the flesh and cause more problems in the future," he said.

Khalid said this to reporters after witnessing the handing over of duties by retiring Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Sharifuddin Ab Ghani, to Datuk Rosli Ab Rahman at the Pahang police contingent headquarters ( IPK), here, today.

He said that so far, 35 individuals, including students were nabbed over their involvement with Gang 24 in Selangor.

Khalid also did not rule out the possibility there were adults behind the involvement of students in gangs. Students are also under the mistaken perception that being triad members gives them a certain amount of power.

"These students are trying to highlight their identity and they glorify senior friends who have been arrested. We have to correct their way of thinking from looking up to their so-called powerful friends," he said.

Khalid said police would also cooperate with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to find solutions to the problem.