Commissioner of Police Ali Sujau has said that amendments are being proposed to the Prohibition on Gang Violence Act as in its current form, it is largely ineffective in halting gang activity.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology yesterday, the Commissioner said that the work required of the police in order to bring about amendments to the Act has been completed, and the draft finalized.
"What is a gang, an easier and more apt definition of what a gang is, and the interpretation of that definition will be something that can be more easily applied practically than now, when deciding who falls under the definition of a gang," the Commissioner explained.
Shujau expressed hopes that the amendments that the police require are quickly approved through parliament.
Law enforcement agencies have been voicing concerns that the Prohibition on Gang Violence Act, which was ratified in 2010, is not ideal for its purposes and is not drafted in a manner that makes their work in inhibiting gang related crimes easier.
Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has earlier said that the act is ineffective. He said that only one case has been charged under this particular act, and that the results of that were not positive.
"I do not think the Prohibition on Gang Violence Act is an act that is practically usable as it is. It was not effective before, and it remains the same still," he said at the time.
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