Nobody expects to have to answer this question or consider what to do if your child was in a gang. Since 16, Ahmad Zahir, also known as Ahmad Zahir Abdullah, started being involved in a secret society in Gulliemard. In just one year, he was allowed to recruit members for his own gang in Toa Payoh Lorong 7, where he lived nearby. Members of the 20 odd gang between ages 14-18 were paying between $6 to $20 of membership dues weekly. They were also expected to abide by the gang rules. Under his leadership, the gang attacked other youths.
Members wanting to leave the gang was frowned upon, with Ahmad Zahir extorting money, beating them up as well as committing robbery and assault. In February, Ahmad Zahir threatened to assault a 15-year old if he did not hand over his $500 cellphone to Ahmad Zahir. This is a punishment for not answering Ahmad’s Zahir phone calls.
Ahmad Zahir pleaded guilty this month to charges of robbery, extortion, rioting and being a member of an unlawful society. He also failed to comply with a drug supervision order last year, as well as keeping an appointment with his supervising officer in March this year.
At the point of sentencing, Ahmad Zahir is 19, which spares him from a jail term and caning of up to 2 years and caning just for the crime of committing robbery alone. Instead, he will spend the next 1.5 years to 3 years of reformative training in the Reformative Training Center at Changi, following a strict regiment of foot drills and counselling sessions.
The chubby teenager, whom was not represented by a lawyer was silent when the sentence was meted out.
If you found out that your child is involved as a member of a secret society, how would you persuade or help your child to leave the gang, and guide him back to the right track? Or would you rather send your child for reformative training?