Individuals with tattoos or symbols of secret societies and unlawful organisations on their bodies face arrest, according to Bukit Aman Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) principal assistant director Rohaimi Md Isa.

Rohaimi said those caught with the tattoos or symbols on their bodies can be sentenced for up to three years in jail, or fined a maximum of RM5,000 if found guilty.

The government, he said, had gazetted 72 secret societies as unlawful organisations under the Societies Act 1966 in 2013 because their activities could undermine public order.

He said among secret societies found to be still active were the Sio Sam Ong, Ngo Sek Kee, Geng 360, Geng Double 7, Geng 3 Line and Geng 36.

"Currently, the use of tattoos by the gang members has gone down, but their identities (as secret society members) can also be detected through stickers and banners.

“The identity of these secret society members can also detected clearly at funerals or festivals,” he told Bernama.

According to Rohaimi, a total of 369 secret society members have been detained under the Prevention Of Crime Act 1959 (Poca) over the past five years.

"The implementation of ‘Op Cantas Khas,’ using Poca and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), has given a positive impact on measures to combat secret society activities,’ he added.

In another development, he said the proactive measures taken by developers in stationing security guards and installing CCTVs at project sites had resulted in secret society members going to areas in the outskirts of towns to carry out extortion.

He urged for public cooperation to inform the police on extortion by secret society members, assuring them that their identity would not be revealed.

- Bernama