18 held for suspected triad ties
KUALA LUMPUR: Eighteen people, including 13 students, were held for suspected involvement in a triad known as Gang 24 in Klang.
Selangor Criminal Investigation Department Chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Fadzil Ahmat said the suspects, aged between 16 and 25, were arrested after video recordings showing a group of motorcyclists causing a commotion outside a school went viral.
“They were detained during an operation carried out in cooperation with the Bukit Aman (Federal police) Commercial Crime Investigation Department. The operations began last night (Thursday) and ended early this morning (yesterday) after discovering gang-related elements in the videos.
“Police are investigating the motive and identifying the mastermind behind the incident.”
He said the suspects would be remanded until Monday, while the case was being investigated under Section 52 of the Societies Act 1966.
Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, who shared one of the videos, congratulated the Federal police Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Stafoc) on nabbing the suspects, adding that many more would be arrested.
“Syabas STAFOC@PDRMsia, 13 students, five non-students were arrested around Klang. More will be arrested for being involved in Gang 24 activities.” he posted on Twitter.
Those in the clip were seen holding banners; one bore the letter “24”, “TD4” and a black swastika. In the first video, the group was seen shouting and revving their motorcycles outside the school. The second video started with a close-up of a cake with a picture of a man with a native American headdress and words “SMK Sri Andalas”, “24” and “Apache” written on it.
Senior Vice-Chairman of Malaysia Crime Prevention Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the incident should be taken seriously as it showed disrespect towards the educational institution and was a nuisance to the public.
“Let the police conduct investigations on the incident. The (school’s) parent-teacher association should take action if any of