GEORGE TOWN: Police are set to launch an all-out offensive on extortion gangs nationwide, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
The move, an extension of last year’s successful Op Cantas which saw greatly reduced criminal activities nationwide, was geared towards crippling gangs that extort money.
He said extortion cases were especially rampant during festive seasons.
“We are aware that some gangs have stepped up their protection money racket ahead of the Deepavali celebrations next month. Police are keeping close tabs on these gangs’ movements.
“We will arrest them and take them off the streets,” he said, adding that the public should report such cases to the police immediately.
Wan Junaidi said police had identified 23 gangs and would release their names and details soon.
Wan Junaidi was speaking to reporters after witnessing an award ceremony for 184 police veterans who received the Jasa Pahlawan Negara award from Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at the Dewan Sri Pinang, here yesterday. Nine were posthumous awards.
The ceremony was to honour police veterans who had served during the Malayan Emergency and the Communist Insurgency.
Present were acting Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun and Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.