JULAU: The significant presence of gangsters and their escalating presence and activities have caught the attention of its MP Larry Sng.
During his recent visit to the Chinese community here to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Sng encountered local gangsters creating trouble.
This incident, he said, though not resulting in injuries, sheds light on the rapid deterioration of peace and safety in the once tranquil town, likening it to “scenes reminiscent of the Wild West”.
He attributed this surge in criminal behaviour to the proliferation of online gaming, which has effectively carved Sarawak’s cities and towns into districts controlled by various gang factions.
“In Julau, apart from online gaming, their illicit activities have extended to selling drugs and contrabands like cigarettes and liquor, and illegal money lending.
“They have forced the local coffee shops to buy their contrabands in Pakan and Julau and have squeezed the profit margins of the shopkeepers.
“Those who resisted were threatened. In one instance some months ago, crystal methamphetamine was sold in public in Julau town to demonstrate that they were untouchable,” he said in a Facebook post.
Moreover, he lamented that reports indicate that public servants and community leaders such as tuai rumah have fallen into debt traps, compelled to sell their land and borrow money at exorbitant interest rates from moneylenders.
Such predatory lending practices often lead to threats of violence against those unable to meet repayment demands.
He appealed to authorities, including those from Bukit Aman, to intervene swiftly and decisively to curb gang activities and restore order in the affected communities.
“The latest incident is clearly a display of stupidity and arrogance on the part of these people.
“I don’t wish for this to escalate, but if their activities continue in such a brazen manner, the authorities from Bukit Aman will need to come down hard on them.
“This is a total disregard for law and order, and such matters must not be taken lightly,” he said.
