The ball is in the Penang government's court to decide the future of its banned voluntary patrol squad (PPS).

 

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was up the state to accept his offer to absorb PPS members into Rela, the federal government funded patrol unit.

 

"There’s no official reply from the state yet, but I would like to welcome them if they are really sincere in helping us fight crime," he said in a press conference after attending a seminar on crime and policing at Universiti Sains Malaysia today.

 

He said once Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng gave the green light, the police would start the process of absorbing the members.

 

Asked if Lim needed to write to the Home Ministry regarding the matter, Zahid said there was no need. “If he mentions it in a policy speech, it is good enough, we can follow up from there."

 

157 members of the PPS, including its head, state executive council member Phee Boon Poh, were arrested during last year's Merdeka parade at the Esplanade, for participating in an illegal activity.

 

The arrest came following Inspector General of Police Abdul Khalid Bakar's decision to ban the group, which was set up by the Penang government to respond to disasters and to carry out community service.

 

Khalid's decision to ban the group was based on the Registrar of Societies' letter that it was not a registered group.

 

On Nov 3, the Home Ministry declared the PPS an "illegal organisation" and ordered that the group's properties be handed over to the insolvency department but the state has refused to comply.

 

The CM insists the group was formed under the state government and does not require a ROS registration.

 

Lim has filed a judicial review at the Penang High Court to declare the arrest and ban of PPS as 'illegal' .

 

Questioned if Penang really needs the PPS, Ahmad Zahid said the state had been doing fine without the uniformed group.

 

"I don't think we need another PPS but if they are sincere, Rela is a group they can work with," he added.