Three out of the 156 Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) members detained by the police have tested positive for drugs.

In addition to investigation under the Societies Act, the three men will be investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, New Straits Times reported today.

Police sources told the newspaper that the detained were on the police's wanted list and have prior criminal records.

Police yesterday detained 156 PPS members after they marched in the Merdeka Day procession at the Esplanade in George Town.

PPS chairperson Phee Boon Poh, who is also Penang state executive councillor, was also arrested.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng refuted the claims, pointing out that the few PPS members who had been released did not pass the urine test as they take medication regularly.

“The police understood and released them when they saw those who are above 60-years-old with their medication,” he said in a video posted on the state government’s Penang Buletin YouTube account.

He also said that the reports made on members who tested positive for drugs were only efforts by “irresponsible quarters” who try to “raise doubts” against PPS members.

“If it is necessary, the state government will assist members to take the urine test at private laboratories to verify their status,” he said.

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