The Malaysian Home Ministry on August 29 released a list of 49 illegal social organisations in a nationwide effort to crack down on crime.

The list includes notorious gangs which have members from Malaysia, China and India. Many individuals affiliated with these groups have allegedly been involved in murder, extortion and drug-related activities, said Home Ministry Secretary-General Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi.

He added that all assets belonging to the organisations will be seized, while those found using the names, symbols or facilities of the groups or otherwise identifying themselves as their members, will be arrested, imprisoned for at least five years and fined 15,000 RM (around 3,000 USD).-VNA