Targeting PPS is a political move, says Guan Eng
Susan LoonePublished: Aug 27, 2014 5:26 AM | Updated: Aug 30, 2014 2:27 AM
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has slammed the police for deeming as “unlawful” the state government’s voluntary patrol unit (PPS).
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has slammed the police for deeming as “unlawful” the state government’s voluntary patrol unit (PPS).
Lim said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar’s remark that the PPS is unlawful because it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies is “strange (pelik) and illogical (tak masuk akal)”.
Lim insisted that the PPS is set up as a state government agency which does not need to be registered under the ROS.
He said the PPS set-up was similar to that of the Security and Village Development Committee (JKKK).
“If PPS is not legal, how about JKKK? Does that mean the JKKK, not only in Penang but in the whole country, is not legal?” asked the DAP secretary-general.
Lim was referring to Khalid’s statement yesterday, where he also accused the PPS of violating Section 41 of the 1966 Societies Act, adding that the police will probe the group’s activities and take the appropriate action if necessary.
Khalid’s statement came following complaints lodged by Parti Cinta Malaysia and Perkasa, who also lodged a police report yesterday, questioning the validity of the PPS, while claiming that the unit members were involved in DAP’s party activities.
Khalid and PCM had received letters from ROS confirming that the unit was not registered under the Societies Act.
PPS also gained notoriety recently when businessman Ong Eu Sooon, 51, alleged that he was assaulted by two PPS members, who also lodged police reports claiming that Ong had attacked them first.
‘There was no problem then’
Lim said the PPS was formed under a legal government, which obtained the mandate and 66 percent of support from the voters in the last general election.
Most importantly, he added, the PPS, which is a multi-racial group, was formed to respond quickly to disasters and traffic congestion during festivals.
He said one should not mess around but show respect for the people’s mandate.
“Those who did not get support of the people will use all kinds of tactics to undermine the wisdom and integrity (kewibawaan) of the state government,” Lim said.
“I don’t know why PPS has become a target now although it has been set up for four years already. There was no problem then. The unit has been providing people with service,” he added.
“It appears to be a political move to get the police involved in the matter when pro-BN groups like Perkasa started lodging police reports against PPS,” Lim stressed.
Lim then urged the IGP and the media not to be dragged into the “dangerous games” pro-BN groups were playing.
He said the state government will stand solidly behind the PPS, and was prepared to face any questions and challenges regarding the unit.
“We will stand with the PPS through it all as they have contributed much to the people.”
Lim said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar’s remark that the PPS is unlawful because it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies is “strange (pelik) and illogical (tak masuk akal)”.
Lim insisted that the PPS is set up as a state government agency which does not need to be registered under the ROS.
He said the PPS set-up was similar to that of the Security and Village Development Committee (JKKK).
“If PPS is not legal, how about JKKK? Does that mean the JKKK, not only in Penang but in the whole country, is not legal?” asked the DAP secretary-general.
Lim was referring to Khalid’s statement yesterday, where he also accused the PPS of violating Section 41 of the 1966 Societies Act, adding that the police will probe the group’s activities and take the appropriate action if necessary.
Khalid’s statement came following complaints lodged by Parti Cinta Malaysia and Perkasa, who also lodged a police report yesterday, questioning the validity of the PPS, while claiming that the unit members were involved in DAP’s party activities.Khalid and PCM had received letters from ROS confirming that the unit was not registered under the Societies Act.
PPS also gained notoriety recently when businessman Ong Eu Sooon, 51, alleged that he was assaulted by two PPS members, who also lodged police reports claiming that Ong had attacked them first.
‘There was no problem then’
Lim said the PPS was formed under a legal government, which obtained the mandate and 66 percent of support from the voters in the last general election.
Most importantly, he added, the PPS, which is a multi-racial group, was formed to respond quickly to disasters and traffic congestion during festivals.
He said one should not mess around but show respect for the people’s mandate.
“Those who did not get support of the people will use all kinds of tactics to undermine the wisdom and integrity (kewibawaan) of the state government,” Lim said.
“I don’t know why PPS has become a target now although it has been set up for four years already. There was no problem then. The unit has been providing people with service,” he added.
“It appears to be a political move to get the police involved in the matter when pro-BN groups like Perkasa started lodging police reports against PPS,” Lim stressed.
Lim then urged the IGP and the media not to be dragged into the “dangerous games” pro-BN groups were playing.
He said the state government will stand solidly behind the PPS, and was prepared to face any questions and challenges regarding the unit.
“We will stand with the PPS through it all as they have contributed much to the people.”
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