The extension of bail up to Dec 1 for the state's Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) members is because the authorities lack concrete proof to charge them in court, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says.

"We are willing to provide proof in court that the arrest of 157 PPS members on Merdeka Day was without basis.

"We will defend the PPS in court because they merely did their work in responding to disasters and community work," said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general.

He was speaking at a press conference at Komtar today. 

Yesterday, the bail for group was extended, for the second time, by the police to Dec 1.

Penang state executive councillor and PPS head Phee Boon Poh, Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik ( both in picture ) and Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer were part of the group who were detained under Section 43 of the 1966 Societies Act.

Lim also questioned Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar's assertion that the PPS was illegal when the Registrar of Societies did not say it was so.

He added that ROS officers had visited the state government to obtain some documentation but did not proceed further.

Lim said that ROS should have contacted the state government before the PPS men were arrested, and not after.

"They are putting the cart before the horse," Lim said.

"And ROS merely said the PPS was not registered with it - ROS did not say PPS was illegal."

Lim ( right ) said the PPS also assisted the police in community policing and helped Penang become a safer place to live in.

He reiterated his plea to the authorities to refrain from punishing the entire PPS just because of a few bad hats.

Eleven PPS members were alleged to have prior police records and several reportedly were tested positive for drugs.

"There were police personnel also nabbed for robbery and murder, but do we penalise the entire force?

"How come parties, like Umno, can have their own security units but not the state government? The state government is definitely a bigger entity than a party.

“This episode is a clear case of victimisation and frame-up. PPS members are multiracial. Perhaps this is what  the authorities fear,” Lim said.