The Home Ministry's declaration that the Penang's voluntary patrol squad (PPS) is illegal and that its properties are to be handed over to the insolvency department, is being challenged by the state.

 

PPS deputy chief Ng Wei Aik said the properties of PPS cannot be handed over. "Such properties are state assets," asserted the Tanjong MP.

 

Ng said the declaration that PPS is illegal should not have been done in a retrospective manner as that is putting the cart before the horse.

 

Ng said in this case, the arrest of the 157 PPS members after participating in the Merdeka parade on Aug 31 should be deemed as "unlawful", and that they must be released unconditionally.

 

Last week, police bail for the PPS members including Ng, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh ( right ) and Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer, was extended for the second time, now until Dec 1 .

 

Phee, who is Sungai Puyu assemblyman, heads the PPS while Rayer heads the unit in his constituency.

 

"I suggest the state government challenge in court the unlawful arrests and wrongful declaration by the Home Ministry that the PPS is illegal," Ng said.

 

Ng was referring to Home Ministry secretary general Mohd Khalid Sharif's statement today following Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's declaration that the unit was illegal yesterday.

 

Activities banned

The Home Ministry has also banned all activities using PPS name and symbols, warning those who continue to do so will be probed and charged.

 

PPS was declared illegal for "conducting activities harmful to public peace" under Section 5 of the Societies' Act.

 

PPS state coordinator A. Manickam said he felt let down and disappointed by the Home Ministry's decision after the unit had served the community for four years.

 

Expressing disappointment at such an action, Manickam said if the minister had declared the PPS illegal before the group was arrested, the state government would have done the necessary to resolve the problem.

 

"Why let us operate for four years and declare us illegal only after we have recruited 9,002 members?

 

"It is not fair as we are all Penangites who only wish to contribute our time to community service," said the retired cop.

 

"Besides, I am a former policeman, I knew what I was doing when I coordinated the PPS. We would have done anything illegal," he pointed out.

PPS accounts to be frozen, assets seized