Police bail for the 157 involved in Penang's voluntary patrol unit (PPS) will be extended for another month pending further investigations.
This number includes PPS chairman Phee Boon Poh, Tanjung parliamentarian Ng Wei Aik and Seri Delima assemblymen RSN Rayer.
Rayer said police has informed him today that the group's police bail will be extended for a month.
"We are only told that investigations are not finished yet," said Rayer (right) when met outside the northeast police district headquarters on Jalan Pattani.
Rayer said that the bail can be extended for three months.
Accompanying Rayer and the group is Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
The PPS members were arrested by the Penang police on last Merdeka Day.
Malaysiakini
Promoting Thinking Minds Via Rational Rationale
Showing posts with label PPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PPS. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
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
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
Friday, 5 September 2014
The purple vanity army that apes Guan Eng
THE Lim Guan Eng-adulating Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) initially marched to the idealistic drill of crime prevention and community aid but like all wannabe vigilante mob, the outfit degenerated into the Penang chief minister’s “purple vanity army”, ironically magnifying what is ominous about his seven-year reign.
Whether the PPS is a legal unit or a state agency, as sedulously claimed by Lim, or an unlawful body, as firmly instructed by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, is immaterial: the courts may soon rule on the PPS’ legality but its overarching existence is still sinister.
Take Lim’s brazen baiting of the IGP: instead of positive engagement, Lim disses Khalid revoltingly, first taunting police to clamp down on the PPS and when that unexpectedly materialised on the Merdeka Day arrests of PPS members, challenged Khalid to a face-saving but useless debate on the detention.
Lim fails to realise that the arrests can be challenged and defended in open court without the need to needle the IGP.
But then, needling has always been a Lim Guan Eng speciality.
The PPS’ growth, it would seem, apes Lim’s brash ways but while the chief minister has been abrasively outspoken, some unit members, albeit in the minority, have no qualms assaulting dissenters.
While investigations into the PPS’ illegality are benignly tied to violations of the Societies Act, police uncovered disturbing elements among the 10-000-strong membership: thuggery, attempted murder, robbery, thievery and drug abuse.
No society is free from wayward members but the PPS seemed to have taken it to a new dimension by “re-hiring” one member convicted of violent assault against a Press photographer in 2012 after he was publicly sacked last year.
Based on an image that had gone viral on social media, this same person allegedly reappeared at Karpal Singh’s funeral on April 20 in full PPS purple garb wielding a walkie-talkie, if only to reflect his importance on the unit’s pecking order and making a nonsense of the sacking as simply a window dressing.
A single, isolated example of violent thuggery can be shrugged off but reinstating this particularly thug surreptitiously is cynical and vindictive.
The thuggery in PPS, an outfit funded and guided by the Penang Government, may be coincidental but its formation seems to stem from Lim’s insecurities and complexes, nurtured for decades since his early years as the malcontent son of an opposition heavyweight that shaped into a feared and loathed dynasty in the DAP.
Time in prison and stints under ISA detention reinforced his siege/bunker mentality to the point that a simple innocuous chastisement of him can escalate into full blown hostility.
Lim seems ill-disposed to eat his own dog food: he is fond of vilifying opponents – government leaders or DAP dissenters – as racists, extremists, religious bigots and cronies aside from accusations of anti-free speech, anti-justice or just about anti-everything on anything he despises.
Lim’s legions gleefully lap up his histrionics without the slightest irony, seeing that his routine accusations on enemies fly back furiously to his face:
HIS DAP elections are a mess twice over, all happening under
his watch as party secretary-general and for all his Malaysian Malaysia, anti-racial rhetoric, the DAP leadership is flagrantly overweight in
a single race;
HE phases out critics in the DAP who challenge his authority, reprising the tactics his father applied to kick out a series of DAP stalwarts since the 1980s;
HE censures newspapers or any media outfit who dare defy his policies or leadership style, a collapsing strategy as Chinese newspapers have ganged up to demand an apology for years of suppression; and,
HE charged that Malaysia had been brainwashed with “Hitlerian ideas” when it is he who creepily copied the fascism tendency.
Lim’s barbs against the IGP sums up the “Orwellian” outlook of his rule: a poster boy for the continuing fascism masked as a “democracy” in the DAP controlled by a “politburo” rather than direct elections as practised by virtually every other party, opposition or government.
Only this time, Lim is executing his “Animal Farm” narrative supported by the aggression of his purple vanity army.
By Azmi Anshar, NST
Well done, Saudara! Brilliant discourse!
Whether the PPS is a legal unit or a state agency, as sedulously claimed by Lim, or an unlawful body, as firmly instructed by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, is immaterial: the courts may soon rule on the PPS’ legality but its overarching existence is still sinister.
Take Lim’s brazen baiting of the IGP: instead of positive engagement, Lim disses Khalid revoltingly, first taunting police to clamp down on the PPS and when that unexpectedly materialised on the Merdeka Day arrests of PPS members, challenged Khalid to a face-saving but useless debate on the detention.
Lim fails to realise that the arrests can be challenged and defended in open court without the need to needle the IGP.
But then, needling has always been a Lim Guan Eng speciality.
The PPS’ growth, it would seem, apes Lim’s brash ways but while the chief minister has been abrasively outspoken, some unit members, albeit in the minority, have no qualms assaulting dissenters.
While investigations into the PPS’ illegality are benignly tied to violations of the Societies Act, police uncovered disturbing elements among the 10-000-strong membership: thuggery, attempted murder, robbery, thievery and drug abuse.
No society is free from wayward members but the PPS seemed to have taken it to a new dimension by “re-hiring” one member convicted of violent assault against a Press photographer in 2012 after he was publicly sacked last year.
Based on an image that had gone viral on social media, this same person allegedly reappeared at Karpal Singh’s funeral on April 20 in full PPS purple garb wielding a walkie-talkie, if only to reflect his importance on the unit’s pecking order and making a nonsense of the sacking as simply a window dressing.
A single, isolated example of violent thuggery can be shrugged off but reinstating this particularly thug surreptitiously is cynical and vindictive.
The thuggery in PPS, an outfit funded and guided by the Penang Government, may be coincidental but its formation seems to stem from Lim’s insecurities and complexes, nurtured for decades since his early years as the malcontent son of an opposition heavyweight that shaped into a feared and loathed dynasty in the DAP.
Time in prison and stints under ISA detention reinforced his siege/bunker mentality to the point that a simple innocuous chastisement of him can escalate into full blown hostility.
Lim seems ill-disposed to eat his own dog food: he is fond of vilifying opponents – government leaders or DAP dissenters – as racists, extremists, religious bigots and cronies aside from accusations of anti-free speech, anti-justice or just about anti-everything on anything he despises.
Lim’s legions gleefully lap up his histrionics without the slightest irony, seeing that his routine accusations on enemies fly back furiously to his face:
HIS DAP elections are a mess twice over, all happening under
his watch as party secretary-general and for all his Malaysian Malaysia, anti-racial rhetoric, the DAP leadership is flagrantly overweight in
a single race;
HE phases out critics in the DAP who challenge his authority, reprising the tactics his father applied to kick out a series of DAP stalwarts since the 1980s;
HE censures newspapers or any media outfit who dare defy his policies or leadership style, a collapsing strategy as Chinese newspapers have ganged up to demand an apology for years of suppression; and,
HE charged that Malaysia had been brainwashed with “Hitlerian ideas” when it is he who creepily copied the fascism tendency.
Lim’s barbs against the IGP sums up the “Orwellian” outlook of his rule: a poster boy for the continuing fascism masked as a “democracy” in the DAP controlled by a “politburo” rather than direct elections as practised by virtually every other party, opposition or government.
Only this time, Lim is executing his “Animal Farm” narrative supported by the aggression of his purple vanity army.
By Azmi Anshar, NST
Well done, Saudara! Brilliant discourse!
Thursday, 4 September 2014
PM: Voluntary units should act within ambit of law
Voluntary crime prevention units should not go overboard to an extent of ignoring the law and disrupting the peace and public security.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said all parties are subjected to the country’s laws and they should not act or take the law into their own hands.
“The rule of law prevails. Only this way can we be assured of peace and harmony in the country.”
He said this in his speech after presenting the National Sovereignty Medal to 129 recipients, including seven ministers, at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Jalan Semarak in Kuala Lumpur.
Najib said although the government welcomes the move by societies in conducting crime prevention activities, they should comply with the law and did not undermine security and harmony in the country.
The prime minister said the government appreciated their contributions as it was practised before when the country was facing the communist threat.
“We also need the support and cooperation from the people, like when we stifled the communist threat and came up with the phrase winning the hearts and minds of the people.
“Hence, efforts to face outside threats and from within are crucial, but they have to be in accordance with the law. Anything can be discussed, don’t threaten the authorities or debate openly. Don’t do things as you please.”
Najib said this in response to the action of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) which had created public anxiety.
Police recently detained 145 PPS members for conducting activities despite warning to stop them by inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.
Khalid issued the warning because PPS is not registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
- Bernama
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said all parties are subjected to the country’s laws and they should not act or take the law into their own hands.
“The rule of law prevails. Only this way can we be assured of peace and harmony in the country.”
He said this in his speech after presenting the National Sovereignty Medal to 129 recipients, including seven ministers, at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Jalan Semarak in Kuala Lumpur.
Najib said although the government welcomes the move by societies in conducting crime prevention activities, they should comply with the law and did not undermine security and harmony in the country.
The prime minister said the government appreciated their contributions as it was practised before when the country was facing the communist threat.
“We also need the support and cooperation from the people, like when we stifled the communist threat and came up with the phrase winning the hearts and minds of the people.
“Hence, efforts to face outside threats and from within are crucial, but they have to be in accordance with the law. Anything can be discussed, don’t threaten the authorities or debate openly. Don’t do things as you please.”
Najib said this in response to the action of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) which had created public anxiety.
Police recently detained 145 PPS members for conducting activities despite warning to stop them by inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.
Khalid issued the warning because PPS is not registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
- Bernama
DAP MP arrested as PPS crackdown continues
Ng is deputy commander of the PPS.
He was arrested at 1pm today at the Patani Road district police headquarters in Penang, for violating the Societies Act 1966, after he arrived to give a statement.
Ng was called to be present at the police station at 12.30pm to have a statement recorded before he was arrested.
Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who is the chairperson for PPS, will also be present at the same police station at 8.30pm tonight.
Phee, along with 155 other PPS members, had already been arrested after attending the state Merdeka Parade at the Esplanade on Sunday, before they were released on police bail on Monday.
The police are cracking down on PPS following Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s declaration that PPS as illegal as it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies.
Timur Laut district police chief ACP Mior Faridalatrash Wahid later confirmed with reporters that Ng was detained under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966.
Top 10 Reasons Why PPS Must be Disbanded
Citizens are ever ready to condemn the police for not being vigilant in curbing rising crime rates. However, the recent crackdown by our police force has seemingly split democratic space into two dimensions - one which supports the police crackdown on PPS (Pasukan Peronda Sukarela) and the other which condemns the same. As a concerned Malaysian, I appeal to all quarters to put aside their political bias to review the chronology of events to judge for themselves the magnitude of the security problems posed by PPS. Do not be blinded by party loyalty or predisposed negativism towards our police who must be commended for their timely action.
Here are some facts and figures that speak for themselves.
Fact #1
Contrary to claims by the Penang government, State police chief Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi revealed that police had NEVER received any applications to vet members of the PPS unit. (Source: Here)
Fact #2
Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim stated firmly that he has NEVER commended the state for setting up the unit and his men have NEVER conducted patrols with them.
Please refer to the Chief Minister's speech HERE where he publicly acknowledged Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim (and the installation of CCTVs which run into over RM 9million) for being instrumental in bringing DOWN the crime rate.
Hence, the launch of PPS is completely frivolous, unnecessary and a waste of state resources.
Fact #3
According to The Star, police investigations have revealed that eleven of the 156 Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS) unit members detained have criminal records involving theft, robbery, drugs, triad-related offences and even homicide.
Most alarmingly, Penang police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi said one of the PPS members, who had links to a secret society, was detained under the Emergency Ordinance before it was abolished.
All this goes to show how the authorities in charge of PPS have NOT screened the members carefully and allowed in the name of Penang, anyone to be a PPS member. With that failure, it meant that those with criminal records, unholy alliances with triads or drug offences etc could move around freely and with authority bestowed upon them by the state government. Hence, PDRM did rightly to zoom in on them.
Bear in mind that the 154 who turned up for the Merdeka parade must have presumably been 'loyal' members. If we adopt that premise, a discovery of 11 out of 154 is very frightening. All the more the remaining 8000 over members must come forward to be screened by the police and if indeed, more are found with incriminating evidence against them, the leaders must be held accountable!
Fact #4
Another report said four of those arrested were also tested positive for drugs. CM Lim Guan Eng should not defend these persons with a lame excuse that they were on medication. The Rakyat Post reported that the drug present in their urine was methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs. It has many nicknames—meth, crank, chalk or speed being the most common.Methamphetamine is a white crystalline drug that people take by snorting it (inhaling through the nose), smoking it or injecting it with a needle. Some even take it orally, but all develop a strong desire to continue using it because the drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-being—a rush (strong feeling) of confidence, hyperactiveness and energy. One also experiences decreased appetite. These drug effects generally last from six to eight hours, but can last up to twenty-four hours. (Source:Here)
Fact #5
The above points glaringly underscore the fact that PPS has DEVIATED from the original intention idealistically stated in CM Lim's speech on 15th September 2011 here:
How can drug addicts, those with serious criminal records of serious crimes be part of PPS?
Fact #6
Put to death all the silly excuses that the police is targetting opposition supporters. PPS members have been doing political activities as can be seen by photographic evidence. Stop the charade and remove the veil of hypocrisy.
Fact #7
The leaders must show the public AUDITED accounts of PPS and how it is part of the Penang Budget. Live up to the CAT principle. Failure to do so means CAT is a mockery of values and ethics as espoused by the Chief Minister.
Fact #8
The Penang State government must show the dates and minutes of meetings/state assemblies where the decision for the formation of PPS was made and how they arrived at the final decision.
Fact #9
With the revelation that amongst the 154 who were detained, eleven have dubious past and criminal records, how can the state government pay out RM200 to each person for each day of detention? This is incorrigible! To fund members who were not properly screened by the members and then to accuse the police of victimization is truly spinning and twisting facts.
Fact #10
If by the time investigations reveal how procedures were never in place or not followed, and if found guilty, those leaders who are guilty under the various offenses under the Societies Act 1966, must step down and pay from their own pockets, the money that had been used for funding PPS activities from DAY 1.
Penangites MUST not pay for such a catastrophic debacle, if proven so.
The guilty ones must pay the price and face the music without deriding the PDRM.
In the mean time, SYABAS to our IGP Tan Sri Khalid, Penang police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi and PDRM. Keep up the good work! Bring the guilty ones to task!
Enlightened Malaysians are behind you because the DAP bubble has burst!
By Thomas Tarnel, Malaysiakini
Here are some facts and figures that speak for themselves.
Fact #1
Contrary to claims by the Penang government, State police chief Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi revealed that police had NEVER received any applications to vet members of the PPS unit. (Source: Here)
Fact #2
Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim stated firmly that he has NEVER commended the state for setting up the unit and his men have NEVER conducted patrols with them.
Please refer to the Chief Minister's speech HERE where he publicly acknowledged Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim (and the installation of CCTVs which run into over RM 9million) for being instrumental in bringing DOWN the crime rate.
Hence, the launch of PPS is completely frivolous, unnecessary and a waste of state resources.
Fact #3
According to The Star, police investigations have revealed that eleven of the 156 Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS) unit members detained have criminal records involving theft, robbery, drugs, triad-related offences and even homicide.
Most alarmingly, Penang police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi said one of the PPS members, who had links to a secret society, was detained under the Emergency Ordinance before it was abolished.
All this goes to show how the authorities in charge of PPS have NOT screened the members carefully and allowed in the name of Penang, anyone to be a PPS member. With that failure, it meant that those with criminal records, unholy alliances with triads or drug offences etc could move around freely and with authority bestowed upon them by the state government. Hence, PDRM did rightly to zoom in on them.
Bear in mind that the 154 who turned up for the Merdeka parade must have presumably been 'loyal' members. If we adopt that premise, a discovery of 11 out of 154 is very frightening. All the more the remaining 8000 over members must come forward to be screened by the police and if indeed, more are found with incriminating evidence against them, the leaders must be held accountable!
Fact #4
Another report said four of those arrested were also tested positive for drugs. CM Lim Guan Eng should not defend these persons with a lame excuse that they were on medication. The Rakyat Post reported that the drug present in their urine was methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs. It has many nicknames—meth, crank, chalk or speed being the most common.Methamphetamine is a white crystalline drug that people take by snorting it (inhaling through the nose), smoking it or injecting it with a needle. Some even take it orally, but all develop a strong desire to continue using it because the drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-being—a rush (strong feeling) of confidence, hyperactiveness and energy. One also experiences decreased appetite. These drug effects generally last from six to eight hours, but can last up to twenty-four hours. (Source:Here)
Fact #5
The above points glaringly underscore the fact that PPS has DEVIATED from the original intention idealistically stated in CM Lim's speech on 15th September 2011 here:
Sokongan PPS dengan pihak polis diharap dapat mengekalkan kententeraman awam dan menjadikan negeri Pulau Pinang sebagai negeri yang paling selamat di Malaysia yang sedikit sebanyak akan membolehkan Pulau Pinang terus menjadi pilihan utama pelabur dan pelancong.
Antara objektif penubuhan PPS ini adalah untuk membantu Pihak Berkuasa Keselamatan dalam menangani kegiatan atau aktiviti sosial yang negatif di sesuatu kawasan termasuk membersihkan kawasan daripada anasir dadah.
Selain daripada itu, penubuhan ini juga sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu PDRM untuk mencegah dan membanteras jenayah dengan bertindak sebagai pembekal maklumat di samping menjalankan hubungan kerjasama kejiranan yang erat di kalangan anggota masyarakat tempatan.
How can drug addicts, those with serious criminal records of serious crimes be part of PPS?
Fact #6
Put to death all the silly excuses that the police is targetting opposition supporters. PPS members have been doing political activities as can be seen by photographic evidence. Stop the charade and remove the veil of hypocrisy.
Fact #7
The leaders must show the public AUDITED accounts of PPS and how it is part of the Penang Budget. Live up to the CAT principle. Failure to do so means CAT is a mockery of values and ethics as espoused by the Chief Minister.
Fact #8
The Penang State government must show the dates and minutes of meetings/state assemblies where the decision for the formation of PPS was made and how they arrived at the final decision.
Fact #9
With the revelation that amongst the 154 who were detained, eleven have dubious past and criminal records, how can the state government pay out RM200 to each person for each day of detention? This is incorrigible! To fund members who were not properly screened by the members and then to accuse the police of victimization is truly spinning and twisting facts.
Fact #10
If by the time investigations reveal how procedures were never in place or not followed, and if found guilty, those leaders who are guilty under the various offenses under the Societies Act 1966, must step down and pay from their own pockets, the money that had been used for funding PPS activities from DAY 1.
Penangites MUST not pay for such a catastrophic debacle, if proven so.
The guilty ones must pay the price and face the music without deriding the PDRM.
In the mean time, SYABAS to our IGP Tan Sri Khalid, Penang police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi and PDRM. Keep up the good work! Bring the guilty ones to task!
Enlightened Malaysians are behind you because the DAP bubble has burst!
By Thomas Tarnel, Malaysiakini
Monday, 1 September 2014
PPS: Phee released, Rayer arrested
GEORGE TOWN: A second DAP assemblyman has been detained in connection with the Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS) issue.
Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N Rayer was detained at about 6pm Monday.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid confirmed the arrest.
He said Rayer would be investigated under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 for being a member of an unlawful society.
The offence is punishable with a jail term of up to three years, or a RM5,000 fine, or both.
Rayer is said to be the Seri Delima PPS chief.
Meanwhile, PPS chairman and state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh was released by police at 6.05pm Monday.
The Star
Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N Rayer was detained at about 6pm Monday.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid confirmed the arrest.
He said Rayer would be investigated under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 for being a member of an unlawful society.
The offence is punishable with a jail term of up to three years, or a RM5,000 fine, or both.
Rayer is said to be the Seri Delima PPS chief.
Meanwhile, PPS chairman and state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh was released by police at 6.05pm Monday.
The Star
Guan Eng out to tarnish Chinese media image
Penang Press Club (PPC) president Teoh Boon Liang (pix) said that Lim was not telling the truth when he accused a senior reporter from a Chinese press for scolding state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh during a press conference on Aug 20.
In that press conference, senior journalist Chua Cheong Wee from Kwong Wah Yit Poh apparently questioned Phee, who handles welfare, caring society and environment portfolios, on whether underworld elements were involved in the Penang Voluntary Patrol Squad (PPS).
Teoh said Lim had misled the public to believe that a Chinese press reporter (Chua) had scolded Phee and acted impolitely at the press conference.
Teoh said Lim had also accused certain Chinese media of not being daring enough to confront Umno in the same manner without concrete evidence.
“CM Lim seems to have the bad intention to tarnish the image of the Chinese media. We have requested an apology from the CM on the accusation in our last statement.
“Hereby, we ask for his apology again,” said Teoh at a press conference here today.
The press conference was jointly held by PPC and the Penang Chinese Press Journalists and Photographers Association (Pewaju).
Also present were PPC vice-president Ang Tong Kai, assistant treasurer Loh Koon Huat and executive advisor Chew Hock Peng, and Pewaju vice-chairman Tan Hu Chuan.
Chua is Pewaju chairman.
Audio and video recordings of the Chua-Phee incident in question were also aired during the press conference.
When asked what the next course of action would be if Lim refused to apologise, Teoh said, “We will leave it to the people to judge.”
By Athi Shankar of Free Malaysia Today
Eleven PPS Members with Previous Criminal Records
The Star carried the following story headlined Penang police to continue sweep on remaining PPS members.
Please note the sections I put in large red font and highlighted in yellow. Shocking!
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police will continue its sweep on the remaining Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS) members who have yet to be picked up.
Its police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi said it would be a continuous effort in their blitz against PPS, which was not registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“We will take further action against the remaining PPS members. Please surrender yourself.
“We will move in on stages. It is strictly on legal ground. It has nothing to do with politics.
“We already have records from 30% of the 9,000 odd PPS members,” he said during a press conference at George Town district police headquarters Monday.
The controversy surrounding the PPS unit came to a head on Sunday following the arrest of 156 members, including their chairman, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, after a Merdeka procession at the Esplanade.
The PPS members, including seven women, who took part in the state-level procession earlier, were escorted on foot to the Beach Street police station around 10.10am.
They were walking near the state legislative assembly in Light Street when about 50 policemen surrounded them.
They were arrested under Section 41 of the Societies Act.
It is learnt that PPS had taken part in the Merdeka procession since it was set up in 2011.
At the press conference, SDCP Rahim said 11 of the 156 PPS members detained had previous criminal records for theft, robbery, attempted murder, drug-related and triad-related offences.
He said one of them was believed to have links with triad activities as he was previously detained under the Emergency Ordinance 1969.
He added that four of them were also tested positive for drugs.
_______________________________________
NST also reported:
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police identified 11 members of the outlawed Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) with prior criminal records, with one member involved in secret society activities before.
State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said out of the 11, four tested positive for drug use.
“Some of them had prior criminal convictions for attempted murder, theft, and one member was under the Emergency Ordinance,” he said in a press conference at the Northeast district police headquarters here today.
Abdul Rahim added that the 156 PPS members detained will be remanded for one more day beginning today.
“This includes the PPS chief, Phee Boon Poh,” he said.
Abdul Rahim also denied the state government's claim that it had sent a list of PPS members to the police for vetting.
"No such thing, I have not received a single name to be vetted," he said.
Source: NST
Please note the sections I put in large red font and highlighted in yellow. Shocking!
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police will continue its sweep on the remaining Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS) members who have yet to be picked up.
Its police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi said it would be a continuous effort in their blitz against PPS, which was not registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“We will take further action against the remaining PPS members. Please surrender yourself.
“We will move in on stages. It is strictly on legal ground. It has nothing to do with politics.
“We already have records from 30% of the 9,000 odd PPS members,” he said during a press conference at George Town district police headquarters Monday.
The controversy surrounding the PPS unit came to a head on Sunday following the arrest of 156 members, including their chairman, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, after a Merdeka procession at the Esplanade.
The PPS members, including seven women, who took part in the state-level procession earlier, were escorted on foot to the Beach Street police station around 10.10am.
They were walking near the state legislative assembly in Light Street when about 50 policemen surrounded them.
They were arrested under Section 41 of the Societies Act.
It is learnt that PPS had taken part in the Merdeka procession since it was set up in 2011.
At the press conference, SDCP Rahim said 11 of the 156 PPS members detained had previous criminal records for theft, robbery, attempted murder, drug-related and triad-related offences.
He said one of them was believed to have links with triad activities as he was previously detained under the Emergency Ordinance 1969.
He added that four of them were also tested positive for drugs.
_______________________________________
NST also reported:
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police identified 11 members of the outlawed Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) with prior criminal records, with one member involved in secret society activities before.
State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said out of the 11, four tested positive for drug use.
“Some of them had prior criminal convictions for attempted murder, theft, and one member was under the Emergency Ordinance,” he said in a press conference at the Northeast district police headquarters here today.
Abdul Rahim added that the 156 PPS members detained will be remanded for one more day beginning today.
“This includes the PPS chief, Phee Boon Poh,” he said.
Abdul Rahim also denied the state government's claim that it had sent a list of PPS members to the police for vetting.
"No such thing, I have not received a single name to be vetted," he said.
Source: NST
PPS: Abide by Law
The police took actions and arrested Penang Voluntary Patrol Squad (PPS) members who participated in the Penang Merdeka Day parade, intensifying the conflict.
The PPS caught attention after its members were accused of assaulting a journalist and members of the public, while the state government did not make it clear whether gangsters are involved in the squad.
After receiving reports from the public, the police made a statement, noting that the PPS has not been registered, highlighting the question of its legal status.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed that he will fight to the end when defending the PPS, making the issue more acute.
The original intention of setting up the PPS was to help improving security and it was actually a good starting point.
However, according to Malaysian law, only the police and units that have permitted by law can carry out law enforcement. It is part of the rule of law to ensure only those who have undertaken complete training and qualified can perform public authority to avoid abuse of power.
It is also the principle of democratic societies ruled by law. Without such regulation, it could be expected that a number of law enforcement units would emerge with uneven quality and various motives. It could even lead to a threat of the formation of private societies which would not only not helping in maintaining community peace, but could bring chaos to the society.
To establish a patrol unit, the Penang state government must follow the law, instead of "fighting to the end", or what it is confronting is not a political opponent, but the country's rule of law.
In any case, the police would not have to deal with arrested PPS members as criminals. Most members joined the PPS without understanding the consequences of law.
However, the Penang state government should remedy the situation and not to let the members bear legal responsibility. If the state government really believes that the squad does help in maintaining the state's security, it should then register it and make it part of the legal system, making it a legal and regulatory unit.
For instance, the squad must have a clear purpose of establishment, meeting legal and social needs. The background of its members should be screened to avoid the penetration of gangsters. In addition, they must undertake trainings to ensure that they are professional enough to perform the tasks, and will not assault neither journalists nor members of the public.
Otherwise, there are other ways to improve security, such as expanding the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), encouraging ambitious people with clear backgrounds to join. Rela is formed and recognised by the country with well trained members.
As for the future of PPS, it still has to follow the law and be handled peacefully, instead of emotion and interest oriented, or the conflict will be intensified, resulting in a greater social contradiction.
Translated by Soong Phui Jee of Sin Chew Daily
The PPS caught attention after its members were accused of assaulting a journalist and members of the public, while the state government did not make it clear whether gangsters are involved in the squad.
After receiving reports from the public, the police made a statement, noting that the PPS has not been registered, highlighting the question of its legal status.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed that he will fight to the end when defending the PPS, making the issue more acute.
The original intention of setting up the PPS was to help improving security and it was actually a good starting point.
However, according to Malaysian law, only the police and units that have permitted by law can carry out law enforcement. It is part of the rule of law to ensure only those who have undertaken complete training and qualified can perform public authority to avoid abuse of power.
It is also the principle of democratic societies ruled by law. Without such regulation, it could be expected that a number of law enforcement units would emerge with uneven quality and various motives. It could even lead to a threat of the formation of private societies which would not only not helping in maintaining community peace, but could bring chaos to the society.
To establish a patrol unit, the Penang state government must follow the law, instead of "fighting to the end", or what it is confronting is not a political opponent, but the country's rule of law.
In any case, the police would not have to deal with arrested PPS members as criminals. Most members joined the PPS without understanding the consequences of law.
However, the Penang state government should remedy the situation and not to let the members bear legal responsibility. If the state government really believes that the squad does help in maintaining the state's security, it should then register it and make it part of the legal system, making it a legal and regulatory unit.
For instance, the squad must have a clear purpose of establishment, meeting legal and social needs. The background of its members should be screened to avoid the penetration of gangsters. In addition, they must undertake trainings to ensure that they are professional enough to perform the tasks, and will not assault neither journalists nor members of the public.
Otherwise, there are other ways to improve security, such as expanding the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), encouraging ambitious people with clear backgrounds to join. Rela is formed and recognised by the country with well trained members.
As for the future of PPS, it still has to follow the law and be handled peacefully, instead of emotion and interest oriented, or the conflict will be intensified, resulting in a greater social contradiction.
Translated by Soong Phui Jee of Sin Chew Daily
Zahid: PAS' Unit Amal to face action as well
A day after police arrested 156 members of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS), the home minister says he is "sure" police will act against the PAS volunteer corps Unit Amal too.
"The same action will be taken by the police. I am very sure they are going to take action," Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told journalists in Kuala Lumpur today.
The minister said this when asked about the difference between the PPS and Unit Amal, which has operated for decades and facilitated in crowd control for opposition protests as well as PAS' community events.
More to follow from Malaysiakini
"The same action will be taken by the police. I am very sure they are going to take action," Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told journalists in Kuala Lumpur today.
The minister said this when asked about the difference between the PPS and Unit Amal, which has operated for decades and facilitated in crowd control for opposition protests as well as PAS' community events.
More to follow from Malaysiakini
Three PPS Members Tested Positive for Drugs?
When news first broke out about the PPS arrest, the first thing that crossed my mind was how this is a golden opportunity for PDRM to check the background of the members and to carry out tests on these members.
That the 156 members were arrested at the same time means for every single one of them, their urine/blood sample would be consistent (depending on their diet and other factors).
If all these 156 members and also every single member is clear from drugs or criminal records, then we can say CM Lim Guan Eng and Phee Boon Poh did a fantastic job screening the background of applicants to join PPS.
But if it is proven otherwise....????
I did not have to wait long to get the answers.
New Straits Times just carried this news at THIS LINK.
Please see the following screenshot! What a crying shame on PPS!
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Just yesterday in my post PPS: Setting the Record Straight, I asked a commenter in the TMI article who said:
"The people linked to the PPS have not committed any crime but on the other hand they worked to ensure the safety of the ordinary citizens and visitors to the state," he said.I need not wait for his answer because our efficient PDRM under the leadership of IGP Tan Sri Khalid have seen it fit to zoom in to arrest the PPS members and have unravelled new information that demands answers from Lim Guan Eng, Phee Boon Poh and the entire state government!
- May I ask Mr. Paulsen if he has screened through ALL the background records of ALL the PPS members?
- How does he know for sure that none of the people link to the PPS have not committed any crime?
- How does he know for sure that every single one of them has worked to ensure the safety of citizens and visitors?
- If he has such supporting information to back up his statements, he should forward the information to the police to assist them in investigations.
Out of 156 members (to be tested), the police have found three members, aged between 26 and 64, who:
- tested positive for drugs and would be investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952
- and are on police's wanted list with prior criminal records
- and will be under investigation under Societies Act
Bear in mind other PPS members assaulted a journalist (2013 January) and an activist (Aug 17th 2014) recently.
The PDRM must ensure all 9000 odd PPS members step forward to be identified and tested by the police. Failure to step forward voluntarily can be interpreted as evading the police for suspicious reasons. If they have NOTHING to hide, ALL PPS members MUST STEP FORWARD and give themselves up to the police for questioning and tests.
Will they step forward? We will see.
.
'When will I be arrested,' Guan Eng asks IGP.
“Maybe I should ask, ‘When will I be arrested?’ I am waiting for him (Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar),” Lim told reporters this morning.
The chief minister was speaking outside the Northeast District police headquarters, where the PPS members are being held pending their remand order to be issued by a magistrate.
Lim said the state government would not bow down to the IGP’s “threats” after he ordered the Penang police to arrest the PPS members, including state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh after the Merdeka March at the Esplanade yesterday.
“We are brave not because we are strong. We are weak. See, I was at the police headquarters until after 3am to appeal for the women and the senior citizens to be released because they did nothing wrong,” Lim said.
“So, we don't have the power like the IGP. But even if we are weak, we will not bow down to his threats, because of only one principle: the truth,” Lim added.
“We are brave because we are true. I know he (Khalid) is very brave because he has the power. I congratulate him. Syabas!”
Lim then challenged Khalid to a public debate on the PPS issue, asking if the federal police chief was “brave enough” to attend the session.
“Is he willing to debate on his irresponsible statement and arrest of Phee and also the taking of the chief minister’s statement last night?” Lim asked.
'Crackdown to undermine Penang government'
Lim said the police have started a massive crackdown to undermine the Pakatan Rakyat government in Penang.
He strongly condemned Phee’s arrest and the unwillingness of the police to release him, although they agreed to release seven women and 13 senior citizens aged 60 and above.
He questioned why Phee, who is 62, was not released.
Lim was upset with Khalid’s remarks that PPS is “illegal” and its members were “gangsters”.
He questioned why police acted on reports by some newspapers, including the Chinese media, which had grudges against Phee and the PPS.
“Was it enough just to base its action on the reports and conclude that the PPS is samseng (gangsters)?” he asked.
“The PPS members were arrested not for rioting but for attending the Merdeka parade yesterday,” Lim added.
-Malaysiakini-
Video: KPN dicabar! Saksikan Video terkini ini!
Terkini GuanEng makin keras kepala. KPN @KBAB51 dicabar utk debat bg isu #PPS. @Huan2U | Saksikan Video "So What".
Khairy: PPS dangerous, crackdown justified *updated*
Khairy, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said that the volunteer corps had been “taking over” the task of police in the state.
“This is dangerous, I saw pictures of the Penang chief minister with a purple vest, there were ranks. But not registered. It’s dangerous,” he said.
Khairy spoke to reporters after attending an aerobics session organised by a radio station this morning.
Police yesterday detained 156 PPS members after they had marched in the Merdeka Day procession at the Esplanade in George Town.
PPS chairperson Phee Boon Poh, who is a state executive councillor, was also arrested.
Meanwhile, Khairy said it was not a problem for any volunteer corps to assist police in controlling security.
However, he stressed, it was important for the corps or unit to be registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to facilitate matters.
The Rembau MP also questioned how prosecution was going to be carried out if a PPS member, when on patrol, mistakenly detains innocent individuals.
“How do we take action against PPS if it is not registered?” Khairy asked.
Malaysiakini
Sunday, 31 August 2014
PPS members detained for refusing to stop activities
Police have detained 154 Penang Voluntary Patrol Team (PPS) personnel for refusing to stop their activities after PPS was found to be an illegal organisation as it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said all PPS personnel, including seven women, were held at 10.15am in Padang Kota here to assist investigations under Section 41 of the Societies Act for not registering with RoS.
“Police started taking action against PPS personnel after they were adamant in carrying out their activities despite my prior warning that it is an illegal organisation that has been banned and all activities should cease immediately.
“They insisted on carrying their activities and deliberately wanted to challenge the country’s law and dared police to take action… they acted like gangsters,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
On Tuesday, Khalid had issued a statement that PPS was considered an illegal organisation that violated Section 41 of the Societies Act for not being registered with RoS.
Khalid said PPS should suspend all activities and write to RoS to seek clarification via the legal channel.
He said police had acted according to the law and would investigate and refer the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.
He also told PPS leaders, including the Penang state exco member linked to PPS to go to any police station to assist investigations.
“If they do not turn up, police will be going to their houses to look for them.”
In another development, a group of lawyers comprising Ramkarpal Singh, R.S.N Rayer, Cheah Ka Peng and Soon Lip Chee, when met outside the Northeast district police headquarters, said they were prepared to represent all 154 PPS personnel arrested this morning.
“We have 10 lawyers to assist them (PPS personnel), we are sad over the incident today,” said Rayer.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government was ready to face any charge from the Royal Malaysian Police on the legitimacy of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Squad (PPS).
Lim said the state government did not have any problem with the police, but left it to the court to determine the legitimacy of the PPS.
“The state is taking full responsibility for the PPS and we will respect the law if the court makes a decision.
“We do not have any problem with the police, we’re just not satisfied with the statement made by the Inspector-General which is not in accordance with the law,” he told reporters after visiting the 154 PPS members arrested here today.
Earlier, about 154 members of the PPS were arrested by police after joining the Independence Day parade at the Esplanade here.
-The Rakyat Post -
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said all PPS personnel, including seven women, were held at 10.15am in Padang Kota here to assist investigations under Section 41 of the Societies Act for not registering with RoS.
“Police started taking action against PPS personnel after they were adamant in carrying out their activities despite my prior warning that it is an illegal organisation that has been banned and all activities should cease immediately.
“They insisted on carrying their activities and deliberately wanted to challenge the country’s law and dared police to take action… they acted like gangsters,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
On Tuesday, Khalid had issued a statement that PPS was considered an illegal organisation that violated Section 41 of the Societies Act for not being registered with RoS.
Khalid said PPS should suspend all activities and write to RoS to seek clarification via the legal channel.
He said police had acted according to the law and would investigate and refer the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.
He also told PPS leaders, including the Penang state exco member linked to PPS to go to any police station to assist investigations.
“If they do not turn up, police will be going to their houses to look for them.”
In another development, a group of lawyers comprising Ramkarpal Singh, R.S.N Rayer, Cheah Ka Peng and Soon Lip Chee, when met outside the Northeast district police headquarters, said they were prepared to represent all 154 PPS personnel arrested this morning.
“We have 10 lawyers to assist them (PPS personnel), we are sad over the incident today,” said Rayer.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government was ready to face any charge from the Royal Malaysian Police on the legitimacy of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Squad (PPS).
Lim said the state government did not have any problem with the police, but left it to the court to determine the legitimacy of the PPS.
“The state is taking full responsibility for the PPS and we will respect the law if the court makes a decision.
“We do not have any problem with the police, we’re just not satisfied with the statement made by the Inspector-General which is not in accordance with the law,” he told reporters after visiting the 154 PPS members arrested here today.
Earlier, about 154 members of the PPS were arrested by police after joining the Independence Day parade at the Esplanade here.
-The Rakyat Post -
PPS: Setting the Record Straight
Citizen Times congratulates the IGP of Malaysia, Tan Sri Khalid and PDRM for their quick and timely action to nib in the bud the possible problems posed by Pasukan Peronda Sukarela (PPS) in zooming in for the mass arrest of PPS members at Esplanade, Penang today.
As a civic-conscious citizen, I would like to set the record straight regarding certain claims by various quarters.
I refer to The Malaysian Insider article: HERE
Well, they were warned and chose NOT to heed the warnings and instead, went ahead brazenly to play it according to their own rules of the game.
No one is above the law. No man can and no man should challenge the government or police.
If they dare, then they have to be ready to pay the price for their brazen insolence and disobedience.
Be fair in any judgement.
As a civic-conscious citizen, I would like to set the record straight regarding certain claims by various quarters.
I refer to The Malaysian Insider article: HERE
- Lawyers For Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen (pic) said the mass arrests were a clear abuse of power by the police as it is seen to have been carried out only because the PPS was linked to the DAP-led Penang government.
The above statement is not true because on 29th August, 2014, The Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) has been told to stop operations or face the possibility of arrest.
"I advise members of the group to stop their activities. Failure to do so may result in arrest," said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
The Inspector-General of Police also said that now that the group had been deemed illegal, the responsibility to ensure that it ceased operations fell on the police. (THE STAR)
- "The people linked to the PPS have not committed any crime but on the other hand they worked to ensure the safety of the ordinary citizens and visitors to the state," he said.
May I ask Mr. Paulsen if he has screened through ALL the background records of ALL the PPS members?
How does he know for sure that none of the people link to the PPS have not committed any crime?
How does he know for sure that every single one of them has worked to ensure the safety of citizens and visitors?
If he has such supporting information to back up his statements, he should forward the information to the police to assist them in investigations.
- Paulsen said there was double standards practised when Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had even endorsed questionable organisations like Pekida and Tiga Line just because they were supportive of the government.
The above allegation is very serious. Citizen Times urges Paulsen to back up his statements.
- He also took a swipe at Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar for his lack of professionalism in applying the law fairly.
Not a fair statement at all. Below the belt hits do nothing for credibility.
- "Khalid has not changed for the better despite him being found liable by the High Court and the Court of Appeal recently for being responsible for the custodial death of A.Kugan in 2009 because he did not follow procedures," he said.
Once again, the above statement is unfair and totally uncalled for. He cannot compare a custodial death with PPS arrests. Paulsen should explain his rationale, if there is any.
- Khalid, in that case, was specially pointed out for abusing his authority while in office.
What is Paulsen trying to say by the above?
- Paulsen said this in response to the arrest of PPS members this morning, hours after Zahid advised Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng not to challenge the police on the legality of the organisation.
It just does not make sense that anyone would speak up against the arrests after a word of caution from the country's Home Minister.
- Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng (pic, right) said he doubted very much police had the power to arrest PPS members just because they were not registered with the RoS.
Citizen Times would like to highlight Section 5 and 6 of the 1966 Societies Act:
5. (1) It shall be lawful for the Minister in his absolute discretion
by order to declare unlawful any society or branch or class or
description of any societies which in his opinion, is or is being
used for purposes prejudicial to or incompatible with the interest
of the security of Malaysia or any part thereof, public order or
morality.
(2) An order made under this section shall be published in the
Gazette and shall operate to cancel immediately the registration
of any such society or societies, if already registered under this
Act; and no society against which an order made under this section
applies shall be so registered.
(3) The provisions of section 17 shall apply in respect of a local
society affected by the order made under this section.Societies 13
Application for registration
6. (1) Every local society other than that in respect of which an
order made under section 5 is in force shall, in the manner prescribed
make application to the Registrar for registration under this Act.
(2) Until a local society is registered under this Act, no person
shall, without a written permission of the Registrar, organize or
take part in any activity of or on behalf of the society, except only
to apply to, or correspond with the Registrar.
(3) Any person committing a breach of subsection (2) shall be
guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not
exceeding *five thousand ringgit, and where the breach is a continuing
one to a fine not exceeding **five hundred ringgit for every day
after the first day during which the breach continues.
Power of Registrar to make inquiries, etc. in relation to any
application under this Act
6A. (1) The Registrar may, in relation to any application under
section 6, subsection 11(1), subsection 12(1), section 49,
subsection 50(1), or any other provision of this Act or regulations
made thereunder, call for such further information, and make such
inquiries, as he may consider necessary.
(2) Where a person making any application as is referred to in
subsection (1) fails to supply the further information called for,
or answer the inquiries made, to the satisfaction of the Registrar,
he may refuse the application.
Registration and refusal to register
7. (1) Upon receipt of an application under section 6, the Registrar
shall, subject to the provisions of this section and to such conditions
as the Registrar may deem fit to impose, register the local society
making the application.
(2) The Registrar may refuse to register a local society if—
(a) he is satisfied that such a society is a branch of any
society whose registration has been cancelled under
paragraph 13(1)(c); or
*NOTE —Previously “two thousand ringgit”–see the Societies (Amendment) Act 1998 [Act A1027].
**NOTE —Previously “two hundred ringgit”–see the Societies (Amendment) Act 1998 [Act A1027].14 Laws of Malaysia ACT 335
(b) he is not satisfied that such local society has complied
with the provisions of this Act and of the regulations
made thereunder; or
(c) a dispute exists among the members of such local society
as to the persons who are to be office-bearers or to hold
or to administer any property of the society until the
dispute is decided by a Court or by arbitration or by
agreement between the members or otherwise.
(3) The Registrar shall refuse to register a local society where—
(a) it appears to him that such local society is unlawful under
the provisions of this Act or any other written law or is
likely to be used for unlawful purposes or any purpose
prejudicial to or incompatible with peace, welfare, security,
public order, good order or morality in Malaysia;
(b) the society has been declared by the Minister to be unlawful
under section 5;
(c) the Registrar is satisfied that the society does not exist;
(d) the name under which the society is to be registered—
(i) appears to the Registrar to mislead or be calculated
to mislead members of the public as to the true
character or purpose of the society or so nearly
resembles the name of such other society as is
likely to deceive the members of the public or
members of either society;
(ii) is identical to that of any other existing local society;
or
(iii) is, in the opinion of the Registrar, undesirable;
(e) the constitution or rules of the society do not contain
provisions for all matters set out in Schedule I to this Act
or if the society is a mutual benefit society, matters set
out in Schedule II or any other matters which the Registrar
may reasonably require.
(4) Where the Registrar has refused to register a local society
under this section, the provisions of section 17 shall apply to that
local society.Societies 15
(5) Any society that contravenes any condition imposed on it
by the Registrar under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence
and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two
thousand ringgit.
- He said it had been legally pronounced that any unregistered society could function as long it was not a threat to national security, public order and morality.
According to the Deputy Home Minister:
State governments have no jurisdiction over security matters, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, echoing the Registrar of Societies' (ROS) claim that Penang's Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) is illegal.
Wan Junaidi (pic) said state governments were not allowed to set up their own standing army or police force as they did not have jurisdiction over matters related to security.
National security, he said, was placed under the powers and regulation of the central government.
- Yap said an unregistered society must not be equated with an illegal entity and this had been affirmed in a 2012 High Court ruling brought by electoral reform group, Bersih 2.0.
Perhaps Yap Swee Seng missed the announcement by Deputy Home Minister that Penang voluntary unit is illegal as state governments have no say in security. Check HERE.
- "You cannot declare a society illegal just because it has not been registered," he said.
Mr Yap, it is NOT just because of that. Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi already explained:
1. State governments were not allowed to set up their own standing army or police force as they did not have jurisdiction over matters related to security.
2. National security, he said, was placed under the powers and regulation of the central government.
- Human Rights lawyer Andrew Khoo (pic, below) said the arrest was not appropriate and lacked in judgement as the PPS members participated in a patriotic event in conjunction with Merdeka Day.
They were already warned. PPS and the state government were cautioned by Home Minister, Deputy Home Minister, IGP and RoS. They all KNOW the law and chose to break the law. Please read Advice from Home Minister, Deputy Home Minister IGP and RoS - Brazenly Ignored by LGE
- "Were they told what offence was committed that warranted such mass arrest. Were they given legal representation as required under the law before statements were recorded," he asked.
According to the many reports before and after, they were told and warned but they chose not to heed the advice.
- He said PPS members were victimised because of a clash between Penang and Putrajaya.
The above statement is very unfair. Please support such a baseless allegation.
- Society for the Promotion of Human Rights in Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said the Penang government should have discussed with the ministry before the PPS was launched.
- "The ministry is of the view that some activities of the PPS came under its jurisdiction," he said, adding that both sides should sit down and thrash out the matter.
The above statements are true but the state government chose to do it THEIR way. What to do?
- However, he said police should have exercised restrain and the arrest would be seen as politically-motivated since it happened during a national day event.
Well, they were warned and chose NOT to heed the warnings and instead, went ahead brazenly to play it according to their own rules of the game.
No one is above the law. No man can and no man should challenge the government or police.
If they dare, then they have to be ready to pay the price for their brazen insolence and disobedience.
Be fair in any judgement.
Lawyers: PPS arrests wrongful, cops liable to be sued
KUALA LUMPUR, August 31 — The arrests of 154 Penang volunteer patrol unit (PPS) members including senior citizens and women were unlawful as the organisation has not been banned and could leave police open to lawsuits for illegal detention, several lawyers said today.
Executive director at Lawyers for Liberty Eric Paulsen pointed out that the authorities must go through the necessary process of gazetting the PPS as an illegal organisation — as they did with Hindraf in 2008 — before action could be taken against the organisation.
Paulsen said until this was done, arresting PPS members for participating in an unregistered society was contentious.
“The arrests are extremely doubtful because being a member of an unregistered organisation is not an offence,” he said.
Paulsen acknowledged that those arrested may be charged under the Societies Act were the PPS gazetted as illegal. “As for now, it looks like politically-motivated arrests and detention,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.
Civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan similarly questioned the arrests, pointing out that the PPS being unregistered did not automatically render it unlawful.
“Unless an application has been made to Registrar of Societies and it has been rejected, then a society only becomes unlawful by an order of the (home) minister.
“Here, it does not seem that any of these circumstances apply to PPS. So they are not an unlawful society,” he said.
Syahredzan added that the police may also only arrest members of the PPS if they have personally been involved in crimes, rather than simply for being associated with the PPS.
He added that arresting PPS members merely for association, as he said it currently appears, would be beyond the powers of the police and leaves the law enforcement agency vulnerable to being sued.
Former Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan meanwhile called the arrests this morning “unnecessary and unwarranted use of police power”.
“No need to be confrontational with a state government ruled by Pakatan (Rakyat).
“Would only confirm public perception of state instruments serving political interest of BN,” he said in a text message.
He also said the arrests may be challenged in court.
The detained PPS members being escorted from the Beach Street police station to a bus bound for the George Town police headquarters on Jalan Patani August 31, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
The detained PPS members being escorted from the Beach Street police station to a bus bound for the George Town police headquarters on Jalan Patani August 31, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
This morning, about 200 PPS members were reportedly arrested after taking part in a Merdeka parade in Georgetown, Penang.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar later confirmed that 154 Penang volunteer patrol unit (PPS) members were arrested for ignoring his orders to cease participating in the “illegal” group’s activities.
He said he had previously cautioned the group’s members of the consequences of continued participation.
Khalid also said the PPS members had allegedly flouted the law and set out to challenge the police and his orders by continuing with activities as normal.
The PPS became the centre of controversy after a 51-year-old man alleged that its members had attacked him.
This had led to an uproar with Barisan Nasional leaders urging for the unit to be disbanded while Malay rights group Perkasa also lodged police reports urging the police to investigate the unit’s activities.
Khalid subsequently declared the group illegal and said the police are investigating it under Section 41 of the Societies Act as it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng responded by pledging legal assistance to any PPS members “wrongly arrested” while serving with the unit.
The PPS was formed by the state government in May 2011 to assist the public in all situations including directing traffic, in times of disaster and to patrol the streets as a preventive measure against crime.
Currently, there are more than 9,000 PPS members in the state and the members have all undergone various courses that include first aid and disaster management.
- Melissa Chi of The Malay Mail -
Executive director at Lawyers for Liberty Eric Paulsen pointed out that the authorities must go through the necessary process of gazetting the PPS as an illegal organisation — as they did with Hindraf in 2008 — before action could be taken against the organisation.
Paulsen said until this was done, arresting PPS members for participating in an unregistered society was contentious.
“The arrests are extremely doubtful because being a member of an unregistered organisation is not an offence,” he said.
Civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan similarly questioned the arrests, pointing out that the PPS being unregistered did not automatically render it unlawful.
“Unless an application has been made to Registrar of Societies and it has been rejected, then a society only becomes unlawful by an order of the (home) minister.
“Here, it does not seem that any of these circumstances apply to PPS. So they are not an unlawful society,” he said.
Syahredzan added that the police may also only arrest members of the PPS if they have personally been involved in crimes, rather than simply for being associated with the PPS.
He added that arresting PPS members merely for association, as he said it currently appears, would be beyond the powers of the police and leaves the law enforcement agency vulnerable to being sued.
Former Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan meanwhile called the arrests this morning “unnecessary and unwarranted use of police power”.
“No need to be confrontational with a state government ruled by Pakatan (Rakyat).
“Would only confirm public perception of state instruments serving political interest of BN,” he said in a text message.
He also said the arrests may be challenged in court.
The detained PPS members being escorted from the Beach Street police station to a bus bound for the George Town police headquarters on Jalan Patani August 31, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
The detained PPS members being escorted from the Beach Street police station to a bus bound for the George Town police headquarters on Jalan Patani August 31, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
This morning, about 200 PPS members were reportedly arrested after taking part in a Merdeka parade in Georgetown, Penang.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar later confirmed that 154 Penang volunteer patrol unit (PPS) members were arrested for ignoring his orders to cease participating in the “illegal” group’s activities.
He said he had previously cautioned the group’s members of the consequences of continued participation.
Khalid also said the PPS members had allegedly flouted the law and set out to challenge the police and his orders by continuing with activities as normal.
The PPS became the centre of controversy after a 51-year-old man alleged that its members had attacked him.
This had led to an uproar with Barisan Nasional leaders urging for the unit to be disbanded while Malay rights group Perkasa also lodged police reports urging the police to investigate the unit’s activities.
Khalid subsequently declared the group illegal and said the police are investigating it under Section 41 of the Societies Act as it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng responded by pledging legal assistance to any PPS members “wrongly arrested” while serving with the unit.
The PPS was formed by the state government in May 2011 to assist the public in all situations including directing traffic, in times of disaster and to patrol the streets as a preventive measure against crime.
Currently, there are more than 9,000 PPS members in the state and the members have all undergone various courses that include first aid and disaster management.
- Melissa Chi of The Malay Mail -
Penang state exco arrested for overseeing Voluntary Patrol Unit
Police arrested Penang state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh this evening over his involvement under the state government with regards to the Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS).
Phee is the state exco in charge of the unit and his arrest follows the detention of about 250 members of the unit earlier today.
He was arrested when he went to the Northeast police headquarters to give his statement at about 4.30pm accompanied by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer.
The arrests came after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar declared that the PPS (which is short for Pasukan Peronda Sukarelawan in Bahasa Malaysia) was illegal.
He had also warned, in a Twitter message, that the PPS leadership should turn themselves in if they did not wish to have their homes raided by police.
Phee spoke to The Malaysian Insider yesterday, saying that the unit's scope included quick response to emergencies and disasters, and does not include enforcement powers.
He said the PPS was formed to help with community policing following lukewarm response from the federal government to their requests to increase Rukun Tetangga and Rela Corps to heighten security in the state.
From The Malaysian Insider
IGP: PPS members arrested for challenging law
"I have given warning to not run any activity or I will make arrest but it seems that this organisation is stubborn," he said in an interview with RTM.
"They challenge the laws of our country by purposely continuing their activities."
Some 154 members in a PPS contingent were arrested immediately after they had completed a march past for the official state-level Merdeka Day celebrations at Padang Kota Lama in George Town this morning. –
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