Where Have All the Gangsters Gone To

Economic downturn and constant hunting have driven much of the gangsters here to the brink of extinction

Three years ago in 2006, the town was lively with gang activities from small-timers such as the Kapak & Kancil gang, to the big organized ones such as the two notable Wah Kee & Lo Han. Bodies were constantly fished out of the river, molotov attacks were nightly, shoot-outs at coffee shops across the river, people frequently missing near a house with a pet crocodile etc. Throughout the years most are gunned down while being hunted [?] and the numbers slightly declined. The map does not show the splinter illegal Indonesian robbery-gangs. Source: Once you've lived in Sibu long enough you'll know the players in town. Plus it was one of my research papers.

All manners of "businessmen" used to thrive in this part of the Rejang basin running healthy competitions in timber, cigarettes, liquor, diesel and other heavy industries. The network may span all the way to Miri and the Peninsula but for now let's focus at homegrown groups. The Lo Han, the Wah Kee, the Sg. Bidut, the Sg. Merah, the Pedada gang and many other splinter groups. Where are they now?

The bloody disputes across the river and the apprehension of several key members[?] somehow brought down activities in town. The Diesel Baron got shot long ago, but then the diesel price dropped. The big head Lee Long is still being tried in court[?]. The government just announced a war on ah longs (loan sharks) today[?]. And the petrol price is not giving beneficial profit margin, forcing most of them to move out of Kampua Town to live in greener pastures outside of Sarawak. As a matter of fact A LOT are missing not because they're dead but they've moved their operations to the West[?]. Seems like the prospect in the West is more promising, since understandaly there are a lot of strongholds set up there for almost a century already.

Looks like the brain drain in this town did not just apply to younger generations getting PR in UK or Oz only. Such migration will definitely bring slight peace. But with such void left behind, there's bound to be a lot of wannabes filling in the spaces. Please, don't be a wannabe. Don't pandai-pandai be a gangster. And until the economy recovers, maybe then can we see the gang activities on the rise again. Or not.

Further readings;
Is Sibu a gangland haven?