(AFP) - Police have shot dead eight Indonesians believed to be members of gangs responsible for crimes including rape, murder and house burglaries, the Sunday Star said.

The newspaper said the eight were killed in shoot-outs with police and published mug-shots of 22 more alleged gang members on the wanted list.

Police, who have already detained 105 Indonesians in their operation to crack the criminal network, declined to give any details.

"They are so ruthless that they even used the victims' young children as hostages to get what they wanted. Those who struggled or put up a fight would be slashed or killed," the report said.

"The gangs have been terrorising residents mainly in Selangor, Perak, Johor, Malacca and in Kuala Lumpur," said Ramli Yusuff, acting deputy director of the criminal investigation department.

Gang members routinely raped children and wives during their robberies of residences, he said.

The gangs are suspected to be involved in the murder of a police officer and a female lecturer.

Ramli said Malaysia had contacted Interpol in Indonesia to track down the 22 men still on the loose.

The gang members left Malaysia immediately after each crime and returned when their "reserves" were low, the police officer said.