KUCHING: The book ‘Dato Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah: Breaking the Chains of Gangsterism’ plays an important role in educating and raising awareness among families, educators, and the community — particularly the youth — to steer them away from criminal activities.
Having said this, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay added the book is comprehensive and well-written, highlighting Tun Hisan’s vast experience in addressing gangsterism issues.
“This book is also valuable for young police officers as it showcases the strategies implemented by Tun Hisan during his tenure as the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department in Sarawak and later as the Selangor Police Chief,” he told reporters after launching the book at the Sarawak State Library here today (Oct 27).
Earlier in his speech, Ayob Khan expressed his support for the book to be introduced as a reference material at public universities, particularly in the fields of social sciences and crime prevention.
He added that the book also broadens public understanding of the deceptive tactics used by gangster groups to influence and recruit young people.
“This can help curb youth involvement in crime and prevent the expansion of such groups,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Tun Hisan said the title ‘Breaking the Chains of Gangsterism’ represents much more than law enforcement operations — it embodies a collective struggle.
“It reflects the unity of the police, government agencies, community leaders, and ordinary citizens who refused to surrender their streets to fear.
“The victories achieved were never the result of one man or a single operation. They were born out of shared courage and a common purpose.
“We learned that combating gangsterism is not only about arrests and intelligence; it is about breaking the culture of silence, empowering communities, and restoring hope where intimidation once prevailed,” he added.
He said the book is not merely a record of policing, but a reflection of the values that define the soul of a police officer — courage, honesty, loyalty, and compassion.
In addition, he pointed out the need to enforce legal provisions specifically related to the abduction and criminal intimidation of witnesses, which differ from general criminal intimidation under the Penal Code.
“In the Penal Code, the punishment for criminal intimidation is relatively light — a maximum of seven years. But when it involves a witness — for example, if someone is kidnapped, abducted, or intimidated to prevent them from giving a statement to the police — the penalty is much heavier, up to 14 years.
“So, by strengthening the enforcement of such provisions, we can better control and address the issue of gangsterism,” he said.
