Penang PPS an illegal organisation, says IGP

PETALING JAYA: Pasukan Peronda Sukarela (PPS) Pulau Pinang is not a registered association.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that according to the Registrar of Societies (ROS), the Penang voluntary patrol team was not registered under the Societies Act (1966) (Act 335).

“With this latest development, PPS is viewed as an illegal society under Section 41 of the Act,” he said via a press statement yesterday.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of PPS and take the appropriate action in accordance with the law.”

On Aug 17, a brawl occurred between a group of PPS members and social activist Ong Eu Soon, 51, in Penang.

Ong alleged that he was assaulted by a group in front of the Bandar Baru Air Itam market after a Hungry Ghost Festival dinner at 11pm.

PPS members Lee Yew Kuen, 66, and Lee Chan Kwong, 35, later lodged police reports against Ong, claiming that he was the aggressor, not them.

Following the incident, Penang MCA Youth chief Michael Lee Beng Seng urged the Home Ministry to check on PPS’ legality.

Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said PPS members put up banners and flags for DAP during the recent Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election.

Huan alleged that each PPS platoon was given RM10,000 from public coffers.

“If DAP wants these members to work for it, why doesn’t the party pay them from its own funds?”

Huan questioned if PPS members were properly vetted by the police for any prior criminal records.

PPS chairman Phee Boon Poh dismissed claims that the unit worked for DAP only.

Phee, who also chairs the State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee, explained that the voluntary unit did not have to be registered as it was under the state government.

“The members are selected according to procedure and we have sent the list of PPS members to the police (for vetting),” he said.