IGP warns PPS to stop activities or face arrest

KUALA LUMPUR: 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.

Khalid, although commending PPS volunteers' efforts to ensure public safety, said the group had deviated from its role as a community service provider.

"At least two police reports were lodged against PPS for unruly behaviour, including assaults on a reporter and a member of the public.

"They have also carried out traffic controls without heeding traffic laws and instructions from the police," he added.

Earlier, Penang MCA Youth chief Michael Lee Beng Seng had urged the Home Ministry to check on the groups' legality after a brawl occurred between PPS members and social activist Ong Eu Soon, 51, on Aug 17.

Following the incident, Khalid issued a statement saying that PPS is viewed as an illegal society under Section 41 of the Societies Act (1966) as it was not registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng defended the PPS, saying that it was a legal state body.

Several online portals quoted Lim as saying that the PPS has been in operation for the past four years without any problems, until recently.

Meanwhile, Khalid and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will be leaving for Amsterdam on Sunday to continue investigations into the downing of Malaysian Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 with their Australian and Dutch counterparts.

"We have yet to receive clearance from Ukrainian authorities to enter the crash site, which is controlled by separatists.

"The police, along with our Dutch and Australian counterparts, agreed not to enter the site until it is deemed safe," said Khalid.

Khalid spoke at the handover ceremony of power between former federal police Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Rasid and his successor Deputy Comm Datuk Ab Razak Ab Ghani.