Council and cops join forces to combat “thugs” extorting contractors, homeowners

SELANGOR (March 13): The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) will work with south Klang Police Department bust gangsters extorting contractors and homeowners carrying out renovations, reported The Star today.

MPK president Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin told the daily that the council’s Building Department is coming up with a standard operating procedure to handle the problem, which will be included in its renovation application form.

“MPK is willing to provide details to the police once the renovation application is approved. But we have to get the applicant’s permission. Our Building Department will has a column in the form for the applicant – whether the homeowner or contractor – to agree or disagree (to share information),” he added.

He explained to the publication that “if the person agrees for the council to inform the police, we will do it”.

“Paperwork is involved in this effort and it will take a month to iron out the approach in giving details to the police and ensuring that the information shared is done in strict confidence between the police and council,” he added.

South Klang OCPD Asst Comm Shamsul Amar Ramli also hoped that homeowners can inform the police via “email if thugs asked for money when renovations were being done”.

It has been reported that cops had taken “a few” extortionists to court “but there was a need to accelerate efforts to arrest splinter groups of thugs”.

If you have been threatened by gangsters over home renovations, call 03-3376 2222 or email [email protected] for help