Tackling gangsterism: The solutions are in your hands, PDRM

I came across the results of a recent study conducted by the Science and Wellness Organization (SWO) named the social problems of Malaysian Indian Ethnic Group. An alarming result of the study indicates that gangsterism still remains a major issue of the Indian Community in Malaysia till date.

Three important data derived from the study on this issue in particular concludes that:

1) 72% of gang members indentified in Malaysia are Indians.

2) A total of 28,926 Indians identified of being gang members till date.

3) The Indian Community has the highest rate of gangsterism in Malaysia.

The study also highlighted several factors including the likes of poor parental guidance, apathetic community and socio – economic backgrounds playing a key role in the becoming of such an unfortunate state of the Indian Community.

Despite the fact that overcoming the unfortunate state would require long term government intervention is all aspects, I strongly feel that much attention has to be given on the several important aspects immediately. The following would be my suggestions to the government:

1. Increase the intake of Indian officers into the Special Investigations Department (D9)

This suggestion might sound cliché but I strongly feel that it will play a key role in helping the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to obtain a better and comprehensive picture of gangsterism in the Indian Community.

The implementation of such a policy played a key role in reducing the crime rate among the Indian Community for several years during and after the OPS Cantas period.

Nevertheless the implementation of the policy was reduced following the arrest of a few Indian PDRM Officers due to their alleged involvement in organized crime activities.

I believe it’s time for PDRM to stop generalizing all PDRM Officers of Indian Origins on the past actions of a few Indian PDRM officers.

With almost 29,000 Indians indentified of being gang members, increasing the intake of Indian Officers into PRDM’s D9 is a key move that PDRM should consider seriously if it aims on reducing the crime rate among Indians.

2. Consider the reestablishment of STAFFOC, STING and STAGG PDRM

Following the sharp increase of organized crime activities in the early 2010s, - the Home Ministry under the former Barisan Nasional Government established several special units in the PDRM with the aims of combating organized crime much effectively.

These units, namely the Special Task Force On Organised Crime (STAFOC), Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING), and Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG) made immediate impacts right after their respective establishment.

Unfortunately the success stories of all these groups came to an end after the 14th General Elections when the Pakatan Harapan Government decided to dissolve the units on the basis of alleged rumors stating these units were involved in protecting gangster groups which was later denied by the Home Minister and now Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these special units in combating organized crimes, narcotics and gangsterism in Malaysia is still undeniable by any.

As such, I propose to the Home Ministry to look into the possibilities of reestablishing the units accordingly.

I strongly believe such a decision would not just enable but empower the police force to combat the alarming increase of crime namely organized crimes in not just the Indian Community but all other communities in Malaysia as well.

3. Identify and investigate leakages within the PDRM

The Home Ministry together with the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department of PDRM must also start working together effectively in identifying and investigating leakages within the PDRM.

I strongly believe no crime let it be gangsterism, narcotics or sort can survive without some sort of assistance from selected members of the police force.

This is not mere assumptions but has been proven over the years with various cases of high ranked police officers being arrested bu relevant authorities for being part of various syndicates from time to time.

The Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) might prove to be a effective solution, but it is strongly opposed by majority of members of the force itself due to several factors.

Hence, with not much options left it is now up to the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department of PDRM to ensure that leakages within the department are identified and thoroughly investigated.

If we can't control the leakages within the department, then it's of no use for any to talk about how can resolve organised crime for once.

This definitely requires strong political will - among both the government and the opposition, among political parties and most importantly all enforcement agencies to keep each other in check but it is also the only realistic way we have to curb leakages from within the department.

4. Conduct early intervention on students identified of having tendencies to be part of crime groups

The Home Ministry and the PDRM must also start working closely with the Education Ministry in order to identify school students having or showing tendencies to be part of crime groups as early in the schooling stages.

This enables relevant authorities to conduct the required intervention process to ensure we can reduce their respective inclination towards gangs by stages.

Nevertheless, there's an important thing that all policy makers and enforcement officers must understand before implementing such a process.

We must not repeat the past mistakes of generalising all students identified of having tendencies to be part of gangs as one. Fact is they are NOT.

These students have different backgrounds and most importantly have different reasons leading them to be part or at least be inclined towards theirs respective gangs.

We must first identify and understand the reasons (root cause) before we can conduct intervention on them.

For example, it's of no use we intervene on a student identified of being part of gangs due to poverty with counselling.

Counselling is not going to end poverty for the student or his family but a decent job opportunity with at least a basic monthly income for one of his parent might.

Only with such an effective and comprehensive intervention process that we might be able to overcome participation or tendencies to be inclined to gangs at a early stage.

I believe that if all the above mentioned suggestions are implemented comprehensively, we would be able to see sharp reduction in organised crime activities generally not just among Indians.

Besides various socio - economic intervention plans that could be implemented along the due process, with stricter enforcement we would be able to overcome or at least put a control on such activities from growing any further.

The government and the PDRM must consider the implementation of such intervention plans immediately if they are serious in their commitment against organized crimes.

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* Datuk Sivarraajh Chandran Is A Malaysian Politician. He Is Also Currently The Vice President Of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)

**The Views And Opinions Expressed In This Article Are Those Of The Author(s) And Do Not Necessarily Reflect The Position Of Astro AWANI.