The bail of 157 members of Penang's voluntary patrol unit (PPS) were not extended today, but the group is uncertain if they were truly free.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the members were released without their bail being extended.

He declined to comment further about the matter as he was uncertain if they are truly free.

“They are just left hanging. We are not sure how this works out.

“I will comment about it tomorrow,” he added.

The group, including Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik and Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, were arrested under Section 43 of the 1966 Societies Act after participating in the Merdeka Parade.

Ng and about 20 members were present at the Northeast Police headquarters in Jalan Pattani as their bail, extended twice earlier, ends today.

Ng said the members are not “free” as the investigation papers about the case is still with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, awaiting a decision whether to prosecute the team or not.

Prior to the event, the Registrar of Societies and inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had declared the organisation “illegal”.

Last month, the Home Ministry reiterated that PPS was illegal, adding that the declaration on Nov 3 was issued according to Section 5(1) of the 1966 Societies Act, which provides for the minister the power to declare an organisation an illegal entity.

The PPS members were asked to turn in their properties including uniforms to the Insolvency Department, but Lim countered that the items were “state assets”.

Lim maintains that the PPS is legal as it was formed as a state government body in 2011 to respond to urgent disaster and provide community services to Penangites.

The Penang government is seeking a judicial review over the alleged illegal arrest of PPS members, and has engaged four prominent lawyers to handle the case.

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