Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today said he agreed with the police crackdown on the Penang Volunteer Patrol Unit (PPS), describing the group as “dangerous”.

Khairy, who is also youth and sports minister, said 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 (they are) 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.


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