Tackle root cause of school gangsterism, say experts

PETALING JAYA: Although gangsterism in school is not as bad as it used to be, the problem still exists, says a crime watch body.

Kuala Lumpur Crime Pre-vention Practitioners Association chairman Bok Siew Mun said thugs or gangsters are still present in some schools.“Gangsterism will cause pupils to easily get involved in other activities such as bullying, extortion, smoking, vaping, drugs, vandalism, gang fights or joining secret societies.

“There are various factors that cause gangsterism among students. One of the main causes is peer influence,” he said when contacted.

Bok said these thugs move in groups and many teenagers do not want to be left out.

Knowledge is power: Education on the ills of gangsterism is crucial in curbing the spread of such crimes, say Ch’ng (left) and Bok.

He said gang members would encourage other students to get involved in gangsterism.

“The lack of religious and moral education is also another factor.

“Lack of concern from parents who are busy with work can also lead to teenagers getting involved in gangs,” he said.

Bok said these students start by being bullies before gradually becoming more active and aggressive.

He said among the measures to curb the issue would be to hold awareness campaigns on the disadvantages of gangsterism.

Bok added that schools need to work with the police to prevent the issue from getting out of hand.

“Let police liaison officers come in uniform and make their presence felt more often in schools, especially those that have a record of bullying.

“In addition, the role of parents is important in developing the personalities of teenagers. They need to communicate and interact with their children and monitor their activities outside of school.”

Recently, a group of teenagers aged between 14 and 16 were assaulted for refusing to join a secret society named Gang 24.

According to reports, the assault was captured on video, which showed the teens being surrounded and hit with plastic chairs at a food centre in Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Separately, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) crime prevention club chairman Datuk Seri Johny Ch’ng Ewe Gee said his organisation plans to hold a big crime prevention programme in Sarawak with the participation of some 1,000 students and guests.

He said Yang di-Pertua Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had given his blessings for the programme to be held in the state and in one of the schools he had previously attended.

Ch’ng, who is also MCPF national exco member and former Pahang MCPF chairman, said discussions would be held with officials of the state Education Department on the programme, dubbed “Back to school with Tun”.

“Tun Wan Junaidi served in the police force in his early days and can be a good role model to students and youth.

“We will also invite crime experts and police officers to give talks on crime prevention,” he said, adding that the programme is timely due to an increase in crime cases, especially cheating and scams.