Police investigating Indonesian organisation

KOTA KINABALU: Police are identifying the mastermind of the ‘Pemuda Panca Marga’ organisation following the arrest of 15 individuals believed to be members of the gang during a raid on a house in Kampung Tas, Anderasi in Tawau on Saturday.

State Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said police believed the detainees-might be the masterminds but investigations were still being carried out to determine the authenticity of the information.

“Investigation revealed that the individuals, comprising seven women, aged between 13 and 60, and without any valid documents, arrived in Sabah after being promised jobs in the plantations.

“Police investigation also found that some of the members were allegedly cheated with promises that if they pay a certain amount of fees, they will get immunity from Malaysia, which is totally false,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

“Police are currently investigating if there are other members from the group who have already entered and residing in Sabah.”

He said this was being investigated under the Societies Act, Section 420 of the Penal Code and Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

It is learnt that the ‘Pemuda Panca Marga’ was established in 1966 and based in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

It is also said that the group was formed to safeguard the welfare of Indonesian police and military retirees as well as Indonesian workers in Sabah.