KUALA LUMPUR: A large number of Myanmar refugees at the Selayang market here are forming gangs and turning to criminal activities. ​

Targeting only their fellow countrymen, the Myanmar thugs mainly extort "protection money" but are also behind kidnapping and murder cases.

Sentul police chief ACP R. Munusamy said the gangs leaders, in their 20's to 30's and can speak Bahasa Malaysia, prey on their own community and extort money claiming they will act as "intermediaries" for their fellow countrymen when they are in trouble with the police.

He said all the refugees are UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) cardholders and are employed at the market.

"After collecting the fees, the gang leaders will 'protect' the victims and also settle issues with the police as some of the victims cannot speak Bahasa Malaysia. The leaders will then say they are legal cardholders in the country.

"If the victims have welfare issues such as health problems, the gang leaders will also assist them. This is how they get their people to pay protection money," Munusamy told theSun.

Munusamy said new faces spotted by gang leaders in their turf are often confronted and extorted.

"Each of the refugees pay about RM100 each month. It is a way for the foreign thugs to earn a side income," he said, adding that police uncovered such cases since January this year.

He said police had recently conducted survelliance in the area and managed to identify a few of the gang members.

Munusamy said 30 refugees were arrested in connection with extortion.

"We have charged 15 of them for extortion and have sent them to jail, while the other members who escaped court action due to lack of evidence were placed in detention under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca)." he said.

In January this year, a clash between a group of local gangsters and Myanmar nationals, believed to be over drug-pushing and "protection money", occurred at the Selayang market.

A 34-year-old man and a two-year-old child, both Myanmars, were wounded when several men armed with pistols opened fire at a crowd of foreigners.

Police launched a massive operation in the area in search of those involved in the incident and police personnel are on guard in the area till this day to ensure no further clashes occur.

Munusamy said the case was settled but police are taking precautionary measures by keeping a close watch on the area.

Resource : The Sun Daily