The Penang government has engaged four prominent lawyers to challenge the ‘illegal’ status of the the voluntary patrol unit (PPS).

 

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday it will initiate legal proceedings against Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for "acting in bad faith (mala fide)" in declaring PPS unlawful.

 

The four are constitutional lawyers Tommy Thomas and Malek Imtiaz, former Bar Council chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan ( right ), and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.

 

Lim said in a statement that the state will file an application in High Court for a judicial review to obtain a declaration to quash Zahid's pronouncement.

 

Lim said the state will also be seeking damages from the Home Ministry as Zahid's decision included the seizure of PPS items which belong to the state.

 

"Even though PPS has no assets nor properties, this unlawful declaration by Ahmad Zahid has affected the reputation of its members, with baseless allegations that its members threaten peace and public order," he said.

 

"While the Home Minister may have absolute discretion under the Societies Act 1966, his decision and actions can be reviewed by the courts," Lim added.

He  said PPS was established by the Penang government four years ago and had co-operated with the police without any problems.

 

‘Politically motivated’

 

Lim insisted that the Home Minister's decision were "politically motivated attacks" against PPS, as it is a popular grassroots network that inculcates volunteerism and responsible citizenship.

 

PPS members, said Lim, have ceased all activities related to community policing and emergency rescue services.

 

"The state government urges all members to remain calm and wait till the case is decided in court.

 

"The state government is willing to cooperate with any authority in a peaceful and orderly manner, provided they have written official documentation," Lim said.

 

On Tuesday, Home Ministry declared PPS illegal and urged all items belonging to the organisation be handed over to the Insolvency Department.

 

This follows the arrest of 157 members of the PPS on Aug 31 for participating in the Merdeka Parade.

 

Those arrested include three elected representatives: state executive councillor and PPS head Phee Boon Poh; PPS deputy chief and Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik; and Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer.

 

The group is on police bail which has been extended to Dec 1.