Penang files judicial review on status of PPS

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today filed a judicial review application in the High Court seeking a declaration that the Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) was formed legally.
The state, via Environment, Welfare and Caring Society committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, named the Home Minister, Inspector-General of Police and Malaysian Government as respondents.
Among the relief sought was a declaration that PPS was formed legally under the Local Government Act 1976 and a declaration that PPS was not an organisation as defined by the Societies Act 1965.
The state also sought to quash a declaration by the Home Minister in November, 2014 that the unit was an illegal organisation and to suspend the ministerial declaration until the review was completed.
The state also asked for a restraining order to forbid the agents of the respondents to enter, seize and detain any PPS premises or members.
It further requested for an order to compel the return of seized PPS equipment besides seeking relief and costs deemed fit by the court.
The state government is represented by Tommy Thomas, Datuk Malek Imtiaz, Datuk S. Ambiga and Gobind Singh.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said they filed the review to restore the dignity of PPS members who were detained last Aug 31.
But the declaration that the unit was illegal was only made two months later, he added.
"This has gone against the process of natural justice," he told a press conference after the application was filed.
Last year, then Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Khalid Shariff was reported as saying that Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had used the discretionary powers vested in him by law to declare PPS illegal, citing public disturbance and security as reasons.
Mohamad Khalid also stated that all PPS accounts, assets and properties would be seized by the Department of Insolvency.
Police to date have detained 157 PPS members after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) confirmed the unit was not registered.
On the proposal to make PPS a community policing unit, Lim said there was no communication between the state and Home Ministry until now.
He said the matter was brought up by Ahmad Zahid verbally in Parliament last year but nothing in black and white was submitted as yet.