The incident involving Malaysian Member of Parliament (MP) Larry Sng and a group of individuals who received angbaos (red packets) containing RM5 (S$1.40) each during Chinese New Year visits in Julau has raised concerns about the safety of the MP and the increasing influence of gangsters in Sarawak.

Sng, who is the president of the Malaysian National Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia), claimed that the group of “local gangsters” were unhappy with the amount of money in the angbaos, which were intended for children. Despite Sng’s explanation, the group insisted on taking the angbaos and later confronted him, demanding a larger sum of money.

The MP described the situation:

“As I entered the car, they refused to disperse and they started arguing with my supporters, to the point of pushing Tuai Rumah Empi (village leader) to the ground. It had come to my attention later that the head of the gang had informed someone in my entourage that they had prepared weapons in their car and was planning to attack me. For my personal safety and for those around me, I went straight to the police station to lodge a report.”

The situation escalated when the group refused to disperse and became aggressive, resulting in the MP lodging a police report for his personal safety and that of those around him. Sng speculated that the group’s ire may not have been solely about the size of the angbaos but rather from political motivations.

The incident has shed light on the increasing influence of gangsters in Sarawak, with Sng alleging that after the introduction of online gambling, Sarawak’s districts and towns have been “carved up” and are now controlled by gangsters from different groups. He claimed that these gangsters sell drugs and contraband like cigarettes and liquor, and engage in illegal money-lending to trap local leaders and public servants in debt.

Sng has since spoken to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail about the matter, and the Julau police have made an arrest related to the incident. The incident highlights the importance of addressing the issue of gangsterism and its impact on the safety and well-being of communities in Sarawak.