The Penang government today launched BPS COMM HELP, a mobile application (Apps) to ensure maximum safety and security of those living in the state.

State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh said the Apps would go live by Jan 1.

Penangites need to register for the Apps, and forms will be available at their respective state assemblypersons or Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairpersons’ offices within the constituencies, he said.

Applicants need to register three names of people they know as emergency contacts, Phee added.

“When emergencies happen, the three persons will be alerted. The JKKK chairpersons and assemblypersons within the areas will also be notified.

“If the incident happens outside the locality, the person can be rest assured that help is on the way,” Phee told a press conference in Komtar today.

This Apps comes in the wake of the state’s reborn ‘Badan Peronda Sukarela dan Kemudahan’ (BPS), a newly-minted volunteer group to respond to disasters and carry out community service.

Phee said the Apps would be useful in times of fire and accidents, where family members can be alerted and ambulance aid can be sought immediately.

He added this is the Penang’s government aim for a higher level of service to the people.

Screening new members

The Apps can also be used to alert relevant authorities like the local councils when there are problems with uncollected rubbish and clogged drains.

“Before the Apps go live, the BPS members will be trained on their jobs and how to respond to disasters,” Phee said.

Last month, Malaysiakini reported that the new BPS will replace the outlawed Pasukan Peronda Sukarela (PPS), which was disbanded in December last year after the Home Ministry ruled that it was involved in ‘illegal activities’.

The new BPS will be parked under the JKKK, and will start screening new members to join the team.

Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon said the BPS is under the jurisdiction of the District Office as JKKKs report to the DO, although they also report to their respective assemblymen.

With this, the JKKs which have the relevant information regarding their residents will share their records with BPS so that the uniform group can commence its work.

“There are currently 293 JKKs in the state but it is up to the assemblymen to choose which JKKs to start the BPS operations,” he added at the same press conference with Phee.

“There will be at least 15 teams (five members per team) who will begin operations,” he added.

Rashid said the BPS will be officially launched at a later date, which will be confirmed later.

Asked if BPS carried any firearms, Phee said: “Our only weapon is love for Penang”.

Phee and Rashid were accompanied by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who said the state government appreciated the police’s contribution to safety and security of Penangites.

Legal adviser

“However, Penang must not only be safe but feel safe, and this can be achieved with the help of the community who can provide information and work together with the force in line with the principle that local residents are best to ensure safety and security of their communities,” Lim said.

He said the state had done its best to ensure that creation of BPS complies with the existing laws in the country

PPS operations were abruptly halted last year when police arrested 157 of its members, including Phee and several elected representatives after they participated in that year’s Merdeka Day celebrations.

PPS was dealt another blow when on Oct 8, the Penang High Court rejected the state government’s application for leave to file a judicial review to challenge the federal government’s claim that the unit is illegal.

Asked if the state had taken measures to ensure such incidents do not recur, Lim said: “We have gone throught he matter with our lawyers”.

“But if they (authorities) wish to dig out issues when there are none, anyone can do so but we have gone through legal architecture and legal adviser also,” he added.