Guan Eng threatens to sue NST over PPS reports
Published: Sep 8, 2014 7:33 AM | Updated: Sep 8, 2014 10:21 AM
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has threatened to sue the media over reports on the state's Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) which he said has been defamatory of the state government.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has threatened to sue the media over reports on the state's Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) which he said has been defamatory of the state government.
Specifically, Lim took issue with the New Straits Times’ coverage of the matter, demanding that it apologise or face a defamation suit.
"The lies by BN and the BN media against the Penang state government continue. I have been patient but when my own statements get distorted without any correction and apology, I have no choice but to file legal proceedings.
"I will be instituting defamatory action against the New Straits Times unless it withdraws and apologises for false reporting," he said in a statement today.
The state-funded PPS, which is aimed at community policing and emergency response, has been embroiled in controversy after federal authorities declared it an illegal organisation.
Police had on Aug 31 arrested 154 PPS members for continuing with its activities despite being declared an illegal organisation.
Lim has vowed the state government will challenge the matter in court.
The state opposition has also continued hammering at PPS, with Penang Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman accusing the volunteer corp of receiving RM1.5 billion in funds from the Penang government on Umno Online.
MACC invited to probe PPS
However, Zainal had since clarified that he was misquoted and had meant RM1.5 million.
Lim said he welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to probe PPS to ensure that there was no misappropriation of state funds.
"Full co-operation will be given to MACC, where it shall be proven that any such expenditure follows government financial procedures," he said.
Lim said the funding for PPS was RM869,820 in 2011, RM1,363,827 in 2012 and RM1,592,482 in 2013.
"The amount spent for 9,002 members is kept under control because they work voluntarily without pay with only clothing and walkie-talkies provided by the state government," he said.
Lim reiterated that the PPS is a legal entity set up under the state government and its members should not be punished for isolated wrongdoings.
The police had initiated a crackdown on PPS after one of its members allegedly assaulted a businessman in Penang.
Specifically, Lim took issue with the New Straits Times’ coverage of the matter, demanding that it apologise or face a defamation suit.
"The lies by BN and the BN media against the Penang state government continue. I have been patient but when my own statements get distorted without any correction and apology, I have no choice but to file legal proceedings.
"I will be instituting defamatory action against the New Straits Times unless it withdraws and apologises for false reporting," he said in a statement today.
The state-funded PPS, which is aimed at community policing and emergency response, has been embroiled in controversy after federal authorities declared it an illegal organisation.Police had on Aug 31 arrested 154 PPS members for continuing with its activities despite being declared an illegal organisation.
Lim has vowed the state government will challenge the matter in court.
The state opposition has also continued hammering at PPS, with Penang Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman accusing the volunteer corp of receiving RM1.5 billion in funds from the Penang government on Umno Online.
MACC invited to probe PPS
However, Zainal had since clarified that he was misquoted and had meant RM1.5 million.
Lim said he welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to probe PPS to ensure that there was no misappropriation of state funds.
"Full co-operation will be given to MACC, where it shall be proven that any such expenditure follows government financial procedures," he said.
Lim said the funding for PPS was RM869,820 in 2011, RM1,363,827 in 2012 and RM1,592,482 in 2013.
"The amount spent for 9,002 members is kept under control because they work voluntarily without pay with only clothing and walkie-talkies provided by the state government," he said.
Lim reiterated that the PPS is a legal entity set up under the state government and its members should not be punished for isolated wrongdoings.
The police had initiated a crackdown on PPS after one of its members allegedly assaulted a businessman in Penang.
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