21 held in Sarawak crackdown on violent crime

Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said the arrests were made in a special operation dubbed “Op Pusak Merah”, conducted jointly since April 15 by Bukit Aman’s D9 unit and Sarawak police.

He said the operation targeted criminal groups responsible for violent crimes committed in Kota Samarahan, Kuching, Simunjan and Padawan since 2024.

“The operation was conducted as a proactive measure by the criminal investigation department to cripple a syndicate believed to be involved in extortion, assault and rioting,” he said in a statement.

Initial checks also found that the men, aged 19 to 44, had prior records for offences such as rioting, assault, robbery, and drug-related crimes.

“All suspects have been remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for six days from April 15-20 to assist in investigations,” he added.

Kumar said efforts are also ongoing to track down several people believed to be linked to a criminal group.