Many victims and witnesses of crimes are afraid of coming forward to give information or evidence of gangsterism in Sarawak, said state CID chief Hisan Hamzah.

This hampers police's effort to crack down on the activities of gangs, Hisan told a public forum in Kuching to address the community's role in curbing secret society activities.

"Many of the victims and witnesses are afraid to come forward to pass information and give evidence, rendering police lack of proof to charge the gangsters in court. The suspects also get away from deterrent sentences due to insufficient evidence," said Hisan in a Bernama report.

The event follows closely on moves by the authorities to look into the problem of gansterism in the state, said to have worsened to such an extent in Sibu that secret societies are determining prices even of essentials and commodities like eggs and rubber.

Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing contended in Parliament two weeks ago that state police commissioner Talib Jamal and his officers had failed to maintain law and order in the state, particularly in Sibu.

Tiong alleged that secret societies and gangsters were having a field day by becoming increasingly powerful by the day such as in determining the prices of essentials like eggs and also setting the prices of rubber and forcing producers to sell through them.

He also demanded that Talib be transferred out of Sarawak, alleging that the police commissioner had not taken any action against Sibu police officers whom he claimed of harbouring gangsterism.

Defending police efforts to battle crime in the state, Hisan said even when suspected gang members were detained, lack of incriminating evidence made it impossible for police to have them charged in court.

'Don't be unduly worried'

Addressing the use by public figures of known gang members, Hisan said this was illegal and that it was the police who was supposed to protect the people.

"We never side with any gangs. No arrest does not mean the police are siding them. We act on facts, not on opinions or speculations because we have to be fair even to gangsters," he said, denying police officers were in cahoots with the gangs.

Earlier, federal CID chief Christopher Wan had said Sarawak police had acted against gangster groups and secret societies.

This included the detention of the leader of the "Hua Kee" secret society together with 13 of its members who were involved in extortion and other criminal acts in Sibu early this year.

Wan said also Sarawak police had not neglected their responsibility in curbing underworld activities and assured the situation in the state was safe and under control.

He advised the people there not to be unduly worried and that they should report to the police if they were threatened by any gangster group for immediate action to be taken.