NST: Bouncers, Pimps May Join PPS

Here's a letter from a NST reader which was posted AT THIS LINK:

I REFER to your report, “Avoid gangs, Pope tells youth in El Salvador” (NST, Sept 6).

  It is regrettable that while the Pope has urged the youngsters of El Salvador to steer clear of violent groups and to be careful when there are groups that seek out destruction, who search for war and who don’t know how to work as a team, a state government in Malaysia formed an allegedly illegal voluntary patrol unit (PPS) to control the public and look after their welfare and security.

  I don’t think these untrained PPS members know anything about the law, and, as such, they cannot be allowed to assume the role of the police in dealing with matters of security and public order.

As it is, the police have identified some of the members as samseng (gangsters), drug addicts
with criminal records and ex-detainees.

  What is the rationale behind the chief minister’s defiance of the law to protect and keep PPS, other than helping the state government to look after the welfare and security of the people of Penang?

  Penangites should support the police crackdown on PPS.

If it is not nipped in the bud, more people, especially Ah Long, bouncers, vehicle repossesser, smugglers, pimps, brothel and gambling dens operators, and triad society members will join as members.

They will then become a mafia, operating under the protection of the state government.

This will create fear and chaos not only in Penang, but also the country.

  It baffles me that the chief minister has not thought of using his DAP Youth and Wanita wings, which are registered organisations, to help him out with the welfare and security of Penangites.
  If the chief minister is a smart public administrator, he should know that even though Penang is governed by the federal opposition, the state is not autonomous or independent and is still under the purview of the Federal Constitution in so far as education, health, and security policies are concerned.

  The chief minister should find an amicable solution, instead of being aggressive and adamant about keeping the PPS.

He should instead work with the police and make use of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela), Fire Brigade, Civil Defence Department, or Police Volunteer Reserve to help him in welfare and security problems.

He should encourage good and “clean” members of PPS to join these agencies.

By Nor Shahid Mohd Nor, Petaling Jaya, Selangor