THIS group is looking for more members, and so has taken its membership drive to the Net.

Online networking sites such as MySpace have become a place for Malaysian Mat Rempit gang Apache Sereng to get new members.

The gang whose members are Mat Rempit, the slang term for motorcycle racers, is reportedly rapidly becoming a secret society or triad, with strong influence and many anti-social pursuits, reported Metro Ahad.

The Malaysian police have classified this group as persistent and active in recruiting students and getting them involved in anti-social activities such as motorcycle theft, illegal racing and alcohol consumption.

Ex-members told Metro Ahad that the gang has a wide reach in Malaysia and is active in many states and areas including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Malacca, Perak, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan.

This is an organised group, with membership fees and membership cards.

Depending on the chapter you join, you could pay fees of RM10 to RM30.

For that price, you would get a membership card and stickers.

These stickers are displayed on a member's motorcycle to announce his affiliation with the group.

And one ex-member told Metro Ahad that any non-member caught with such a sticker would be beaten up for using the name of the group without permission.

The group apparently targets secondary school students.

PROTECTION AND THEFT

The attraction, according to Halim, 15, was that the group was well-respected among the motorcycling (Mat Rempit) community and also promised protection to its members.

Halim had planned to run away from home to join the group as soon as he was told his membership had been approved.

However, his parents found out about his plans and sent him to a reform centre instead.

Another teenager, Zahari told Metro Ahad: "Many believe only those with motorbikes can join, but of late, it doesn't matter whether you have a bike or not. What is important is they want to add members and spread their influence."

Zahari said he had a criminial record for motorcycle theft and so was closely watched by the group.

He said: "I was told that having a criminial record, particularly for motorbike theft, membership would be easier."

Metro Ahad reported that one of the gang's main activities is motorcycle theft.

The Malaysian traffic police recently said they have identified five motorcycle racing gangs, one of which is the Apache Sereng.

What is worrying about this group's activities is the open recruitment of members and declaration of war on other gangs.

A Metro Ahad check on the Net revealed many recruitment sites and widespread use of emblems such as Native American Apache logos.

The police have stressed that the gang situation is under control in Malaysia.