And while the common criminals who commit spontaneous robberies and rapes are being deterred by the increased police presence in Johor Bahru, it seems the real targets are the organized criminals.
Fine by me… While I am more concerned about the random criminal attacks, serious crime is serious crime. As long as the police devote lots of manpower to protecting ordinary citizens (instead of issuing traffic summonses), I’m all in support of them.
Good job JB police! You have turned yourselves around!
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From The Star 5 Aug 2007:
‘Untouchable’ crime kingpin arrested in Johor Baru
JOHOR BARU: A powerful crime lord, involved in organised underworld activities including vice and gaming, was detained here several days ago.
The 55-year-old suspect, previously regarded as an “untouchable,” was arrested by a special team of officers from Bukit Aman under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The suspect, who is also widely mentioned in a blog, has since been taken to an undisclosed location in the country to assist in investigations.
It is learnt that the crime lord, described as the head of one of the most powerful syndicates in the country, was arrested under a directive from the Internal Security Ministry.
He was picked up by the team from the commercial crime unit at an undisclosed location here.
Federal commercial crimes director Comm Datuk Ramli Yusuf confirmed the arrest of an underworld figure for money laundering under the Restricted Residence Act.
He declined to elaborate further.
It is learnt that the suspect is being detained under a 60-day detention order, which can be extended up to two to three years through a directive from the Internal Security Minister.
It is learnt that several police reports have also been lodged by family members alleging the arrest was unlawful.
This is the second major arrest in the state involving crime syndicates. Last month seven suspected Malaysian gang leaders with links to the Singapore underworld, allegedly involved in vice and gaming activities here and across the Causeway, were arrested.
All of them were arrested with the assistance of the Singapore police.
However, one of the seven has since been released.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan recently said that police had identified seven gang leaders who had been terrorising the state with the help of influential people.
He said police were gathering intelligence to either take action against these leaders under preventive laws or to charge them in court.