THE detention of 25 suspected gang members under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca) yesterday is illegal, said Klang MP Charles Santiago, who urged police to release the men immediately ahead of Deepavali tomorrow.

The 25 were allegedly part of an organised crime syndicate known as TCB 21, believed to be responsible over a shooting outside a school in Banting, Selangor in September.

“These men were arrested for numerous criminal offences, which they did not commit, and were never charged,” Santiago said.

“For example, they were initially arrested for a shooting incident that took place in Banting in September this year, investigated for a murder that took place in 2018, arrested under (Poca), Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 or Sosma, and yet again rearrested for a murder that happened in 2016.

“At least two magistrates disallowed police requests for remand. And Tuesday this week, the investigating officer for the Sosma case informed the families that the deputy public prosecutor had minuted ‘no further action’ against the 25 men,” he said.

However, DAP the lawmaker said the 25 are still in detention and their families not informed of the further arrests.

Santiago urged police to release all 25 as ordered by the court.

He also said Putrajaya must set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission as opposed to its watered-down version, to ensure police do not take the law into their hands.

Prior to the arrest of the 25, police on October 12 and 13 had initially detained 29 men from the same group under the organised crime offences and Sosma.

However, due to lack of statements, police were unable to charge them with any crime.

“The investigation papers were submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers serious crime division head but there were not enough statements to charge them,” Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department director Huzir Mohamed had said.

Commenting on the arrest of the 25 men, Huzir said the group is active in attempted murder using firearms, robbery and rioting.

“Our investigations revealed they are also responsible for various other crimes including arson, extortion and assault. They are active in Dengkil and Banting,” Huzir said.

It was earlier reported that two men, travelling in a blue BMW, suffered multiple injuries after they were shot by two gunmen in front of SMK Telok Datok in Banting.

Several students were also injured after the victims rammed into them and several cars in a bid to escape the attack. – November 13, 2020.