School authorities have been urged to give utmost attention to attempts by gangs to penetrate schools and recruit students to join them.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said school heads must not hide these activities just for the sake of maintaining the school name or reputation.

"All teachers and school prefects must be the eyes and ears of the authorities to keep gangterism away from schools and nip the problem in the bud," he said in a statement today.

MCPF, he said, welcomed the latest announcement by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim that the police had identified the leaders of secret societies in the country and would take action against them soon.

-- BERNAMA