Sunday, 31 August 2014

Surrender before we raid homes, IGP warns PPS

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has issued an ultimatum to the Penang Voluntary Unit (PPS) to turn themselves in or face the risk of their homes being raided.



"Police's action against PPS in Penang - It is best for those responsible for PPS to surrender before we raid (their) homes," he said in a Twitter posting this morning.

The comment came as some 250 PPS members were hauled up by police today for participating in the Independence Day parade in Penang.

It is unclear what the actual charge the police are using is.

However this week Khalid claimed the PPS was illegal because it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

The Penang government has rubbished this, stating that the PPS was no different than local village committees which are also not registered.

The PPS was formed by the state government in 2010 as a volunteer group to respond to disaster situations.

'State agency not illegal'

PPS comprises 256 teams with 7,702 members who provide community service and assist in handling traffic congestion during weddings, funeral and other events during festivities.

The unit came into the limelight recently when businessman Ong Eu Soon alleged that two PPS members had attacked him.

The two men also lodged police reports claiming that it was Ong who had first attacked them.


Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday vowed to fight in court if PPS members are arrested for simply being part of the outfit.
     
Meanwhile, NGO Solidariti Anak Malaysia (Samm) condemned the arrests of what it says were merely volunteers serving the community.

"Their arrest proves the police are insensitive towards those who assist the police force in security for villages and residential areas to curb crime and ensure welfare," said Penang Samm coordinator Aidil Fitri Ibrahim.

He also dismissed police’s claims that PPS was illegal, stating that the body was set up by the state government thus has the status of a state agency.

-Malaysiakini-

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