Minister: Some 400 juveniles have links to gangs

Home Minister Ali Ihusan says there are some 400 juveniles with links to criminal gangs, who require immediate intervention.

The government had previously announced plans to develop an island to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents, which would be called “Hope Island.”

In a meeting with the Parliament’s National Security Services Committee (241 Committee) on Tuesday, Ihusan said the latest assessment by the Home Ministry shows there are some 400 juveniles across the country, in need of intervention.

He said that a permanent solution to the issue of gang crimes requires legislative changes and granting the police more powers.

Ihusan said that authorities must get two things done to tackle gang crimes; one is to close all channels through which gangs get their money, and the other – which he stressed was the most important of all – is to stop gangs from recruiting juveniles.

Ihusan said that previous rehab programs targeting such juveniles were too short and ineffective, with the youths returning to crime after completing the program.

He said the government plans on keeping juvenile delinquents at “Hope Island” until they turn 18.

Ihusan said that once they turn 18, they will be assessed and either be reintegrated back to society while being monitored, or enlisted to the police or military.

“They will be in the island until they turn 18. We will design the island to also foster familial bonds during their time there. We will also design programs,” he said.

Ihusan said that “Hope Island” will be shut down, once the government manages to address the key root causes for youth delinquency – one of which he said was the lack of housing.

“I believe that housing for all under the current administration’s policy will provide a huge solution to this – to the susceptibility of children who come from families that are broken up due to financial burdens,” he said.

The government has also announced controversial plans to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years.

The government previously said that “Hope Island” will have programs outside of the official syllabus, including religious education, sports, and mental wellbeing.