Klang school under spotlight after Gang 24 celebration

The Malaysia Indian community leaders must step in and put an end to this once for all with the help of the police , parents and schools

Youths and students celebrate gang's 'significant day' outside SMK Sri Andalas, revving motorcycles and holding banners.

PETALING JAYA: A school in Klang has achieved notoriety for the actions of gang members carrying out blatant promotion of their activities just outside its premises, The Star reported.

Things came to a height, with gang members, some in school uniform “celebrating” their gang, holding banners with the number “24” on it.

A senior officer from the Klang South district police headquarters told the daily that the gathering was a common practice for Gang 24, which celebrated April 24 every year as its “significant day”.

“However, since April 24 this year is a public holiday, they brought the celebrations forward to the 20th,” he was quoted as saying.

SMK Sri Andalas in Taman Sri Andalas has come under closer scrutiny by the police, with a patrol car usually seen outside the entrance of the school.

Additionally, a motorcycle patrol unit and traffic policemen are also seen frequently patrolling the area, as well as the roads leading to the school.

Police were also keeping watch at SMK Raja Mahadi in Taman Klang Jaya and SMK Kampung Jawa in Jalan Kota Roja.

Speaking to students and some hawkers conducting business outside the school, the daily found that SMK Sri Andalas’ reputation is now entrenched with that of gang activities.

“It has been going on for years and I know some of our schoolmates are involved in gangsterism. They behave badly at school and are not afraid to say that they have friends who can ‘take care’ of them.

“They like to loiter around the school compound when school ends, with other youths from outside.

“My friends and I try to avoid them at school because we don’t want any trouble,” a student named Nadia told The Star outside the school yesterday.

A man selling snacks and drinks outside the school said it was common to see the gang members “revving their motorcycle engines and behaving rowdily”.

“It happens a few times a week,” the man, who only wanted to be known as Ahmad, was quoted as saying. According to The Star, Ahmad has been operating his stall outside the school for the past five years.

Meanwhile, police also believe that the behaviour of some students and youths in showing their affiliation with gangs was simply to attract the attention of potential recruits.

“They want to impress on other students their capability to be bad, as they know it appeals to those going through puberty and showing signs of teen rebelliousness,” another officer from the Klang South IPD told The Star.

The education ministry are also said to be awaiting a report from the state education department on the incident which took place outside SMK Sri Andalas yesterday.