BPS not necessary

BUTTERWORTH: The formation of Voluntary Patrol Body (BPS), to replace its outlawed Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS), is unnecessary, said Penang Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman.
Commenting on the BPS launched by the state chief minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) on Sunday, Zainal Abidin said the federal government had set up many agencies, such as police force, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Civil Defence Department, to look after the safety and harmony in the whole country.
Moreover, he said, there were many existing non-government organisations (NGOs) including Rukun Tetangga and People's Volunteer Corps to assist the government agencies and public during rescue and emergency situation.
"Penang police and other agencies have played their role to fight crimes in the state, so it is enough. I do not understand the need for BPS. They are more likely to create their own army," he told reporters after having a meeting with religion teachers in The Light Hotel, Seberang Jaya here today.
Zainal Abidin said it was also time consuming for police to vet through BPS members for criminal records.
Penang Welfare, Caring Society, Health & Environment exco Phee Boon Poh said the BPS was formed under the Welfare, Unity and Community Relations Bureau of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) with the aim to look after the safety and security in each locality that it covered and also to assist the public during rescue and emergency situations.
"BPS has been set up in 40 areas of the legislative assembly (KADUN) in the state. The state government has also allocated RM30,000 for each KADUN to set up its BPS. Currently, there are 607 BPS members state-wide.
"This time we have submitted all applicants' information to police to be vetted before they are accepted as BPS members," he said.
The PPS, formed in 2011 by the Penang state executive council to fight crime and help with voluntary work, had about 9,000 members. It was declared illegal by the
Home Ministry in November last year and the state government later challenged the ban through the courts.
The Penang High Court rejected the state government's attempt to review the Home Ministry ban.