Cops arrest 156 voluntary patrol members after state-level Merdeka procession

GEORGE TOWN: The controversy surrounding the Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS) unit came to a head yesterday 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 at around 10.10am yesterday.

They were walking near the state legislative assembly in Light Street when about 50 policemen surrounded them.

From Beach Street, they were carted in vans and school buses to the George Town police district headquarters for further action.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said 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.

Ramkarpal Singh, speaking on behalf of the legal team representing the members, said they were not allowed to see them or be present when their statements were being taken.

Twenty members, including seven female members and those aged above 60, were later released on police bail while the rest are expected to be remanded today.

Earlier, Phee said members had contributed immensely towards the community’s peace and stability, adding that they were the first to reach the scene in emergencies.

“They would help to secure the perimeter, man the traffic, make rounds on motorcycles and even call up family members of the victims involved.

“Their presence has helped to deter criminals from striking. How can we simply disband the group just because of two negative incidents?” he asked when met outside the Beach Street police station.

Phee was detained at 6.40pm at the district police headquarters in Patani Road here after police recorded his statement.

He, as well as others, are being investigated under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 for being members of an unlawful society.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said they would let the court determine the validity of PPS, adding that members were told to give their full cooperation to the police.

“We don’t have any issue with the police, but we are unsatisfied with the statement made by the IGP (Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar) because we feel that it does not conform with the country’s laws,” he said.

Lim said Khalid could have come to the state government to resolve the matter instead of threatening those responsible for PPS with raids.

All PPS activities have since been cancelled.

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