Penang challenges illegality charge on PPS
Susan LoonePublished: Jan 27, 2015 10:00 AM | Updated: Jan 27, 2015 10:39 AM
The Penang government has filed for a judicial review to challenge the claims of illegality thrown at the Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) by the federal government.
The 10-point review was filed in the High Court in Penang today as the PPS sees itself as a "political victim" of the BN-led federal government, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
The Penang government has filed for a judicial review to challenge the claims of illegality thrown at the Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) by the federal government.
The 10-point review was filed in the High Court in Penang today as the PPS sees itself as a "political victim" of the BN-led federal government, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
The state named the Home Ministry, Inspector-General of Police and the Malaysian government as respondents.
"We are seeking a declaration that the PPS was legally established by the Penang government, based on Section 101 (v) of the Local Government Act 1976.
"PPS is not a society as stated in the 1966 Societies Act," Lim told reporters after the judicial review application was filed.
He said the application also seeks an order of certiorari to overturn the Home Ministry's declaration on Nov 3 last year that PPS is an "illegal" organisation.
Order to return seized materials sought
Lim said an order is also being sought to bar the respondents or any of their officers, staff or agents from entering any premises, seizing any belongings related to PPS or arresting or detaining any of its members.
"We are seeking a mandamus order to compel the respondents to return jackets, equipment, logos, weapons or documents belonging to PPS, which have been seized, to the state government," he said.
The state is also seeking compensation for general, aggravated and exemplary damages, to be determined by the court.
The judicial review application comes following the arrest of 157 PPS members, including its head and state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, on Merdeka Day last year.
Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik and Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer were also arrested for their involvement with the PPS.
The police bail for the group was not extended last month but the investigation papers on their cases are with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to decide whether to initiate charges against them or to drop the case.
Lim said the review is also to re-establish PPS as a community police unit to aid the police force as both PPS and the police have been working closely in the past.
He also slammed various new reports that painted PPS members as "gangsters", saying Penangites do not believe in such claims as the PPS was formed as an urgent response to disasters and helped in community services.
"These reports, which are false and malicious, have defamed the PPS members who offered their services voluntarily," Lim said.
Phee (above, right), who is also Sungai Puyu assemblyperson, will represent the state government as the plaintiff while constitutional lawyers Tommy Thomas and Malik Imtiaz and Puchong MP Gobind Singh will be the counsel for the state.
The 10-point review was filed in the High Court in Penang today as the PPS sees itself as a "political victim" of the BN-led federal government, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
The state named the Home Ministry, Inspector-General of Police and the Malaysian government as respondents.
"We are seeking a declaration that the PPS was legally established by the Penang government, based on Section 101 (v) of the Local Government Act 1976.
"PPS is not a society as stated in the 1966 Societies Act," Lim told reporters after the judicial review application was filed.
He said the application also seeks an order of certiorari to overturn the Home Ministry's declaration on Nov 3 last year that PPS is an "illegal" organisation.
Order to return seized materials sought
Lim said an order is also being sought to bar the respondents or any of their officers, staff or agents from entering any premises, seizing any belongings related to PPS or arresting or detaining any of its members.
"We are seeking a mandamus order to compel the respondents to return jackets, equipment, logos, weapons or documents belonging to PPS, which have been seized, to the state government," he said.The state is also seeking compensation for general, aggravated and exemplary damages, to be determined by the court.
The judicial review application comes following the arrest of 157 PPS members, including its head and state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, on Merdeka Day last year.
Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik and Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer were also arrested for their involvement with the PPS.
The police bail for the group was not extended last month but the investigation papers on their cases are with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to decide whether to initiate charges against them or to drop the case.
Lim said the review is also to re-establish PPS as a community police unit to aid the police force as both PPS and the police have been working closely in the past.He also slammed various new reports that painted PPS members as "gangsters", saying Penangites do not believe in such claims as the PPS was formed as an urgent response to disasters and helped in community services.
"These reports, which are false and malicious, have defamed the PPS members who offered their services voluntarily," Lim said.
Phee (above, right), who is also Sungai Puyu assemblyperson, will represent the state government as the plaintiff while constitutional lawyers Tommy Thomas and Malik Imtiaz and Puchong MP Gobind Singh will be the counsel for the state.
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