The police investigation papers on the arrests of 157 members of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Squad (Pasukan Peronda Sukarela or PPS) including its chairperson, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, will be sent to the Prosecution Unit head tomorrow for further action.

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the investigation papers were expected to be fully completed today.

“The 157 PPS members arrested were released in stages yesterday until 10.30pm. Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, who was arrested last evening, was released at 7am today.

“We have taken statements from all those arrested,” he told reporters after the conferment of ranks on 21 officers from the state police contingent in George Town today.

Last Sunday, police arrested 156 PPS members including Phee, who is state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairperson, for ignoring police warnings not to carry out any related activities after it was found that PPS was not registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), hence it is an illegal body.

Rayer was arrested yesterday to facilitate the investigation on PPS, which was formed by the DAP-led Penang government in May, 2011.

Abdul Rahim said four of those arrested who were found to be positive for drugs, would be investigated under Section 3(1) of the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, while another 11 who had criminal records would also be investigated.

“Whether police will be arresting more PPS leaders and members or not, will depend on our investigation papers. Further probe into this case is still on-going, so do not make any speculation,” he said when asked whether Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would also be arrested.

Asked about Phee’s claim that he was treated like a criminal while being detained, Abdul Rahim said police had acted based on the set standard operating procedure (SOP).

“Police had followed the set lock-up SOP and we had given them (those arrested) the best treatment. If he (Phee) had said that (treated like a criminal), it’s up to him,” he added.

Phee had claimed as reported by a news portal, that he was interrogated by police for four hours and treated like a criminal.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahim ( right ) said a special team from the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman would be investigating a man’s vitriol against the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar via Twitter.

“I understand that this man originates from Penang and also resides here, and we will be assisting the federal police team in the investigation,” he said.

Yesterday, Khalid ordered that stern action be taken against the culprit for viciously abusing the police force through the social media website following the arrests of PPS members in Penang.

- Bernama