JOHOR police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said police have detected infiltration of secret societies actively recruiting secondary school students to join their groups by force and engage in criminal activities, including drug trafficking.

He said the suspicion was confirmed when they received two reports of students being beaten and forced to join the “Hong Hong San” and “Ngo Sek Kee” gangs recently.

“The underworld is believed to be targetting students in urban areas, as opposed to rural areas. Police hope the victims, teachers and parents will be aware and report to police if such incidents happen,” he said after the Johor Criminal Investigation Department head’s handover of duties ceremony today.

Also present was Johor deputy police chief M. Kumar.

Kamarul said police are monitoring activities of secret societies in the state, and urged schools to pass on information to the school liaison officer to deal with such cases.

“Secret societies have dared to present themselves again by boldly encroaching on schools to recruit students to join.

“So my advice to teachers is to report to the police, because there are liaison officers in schools, so please pass on the information,” he said.

He said in the case of the “Hong Hong San Gang” and “Ngo Sek Kee Gang” who recruited students, six men were charged under section 323 of the penal code and section 45 of the Organisation Act 1966 in the Muar magistrates’ court on October 17.

Two of them who had pleaded guilty were fined RM3,000 each, Kamarul said. – Bernama, November 1, 2023.