New voluntary patrol unit for Penang
> Replaces PPS outlawed by Home Ministry last year
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Penang government has launched a new volunteer unit called Voluntary Patrol Body (BPS) to replace its outlawed Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS).
Penang Welfare, Caring Society, Health and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said BPS was formed under the Welfare, Unity and Community Relations Bureau of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).
He said the purpose of BPS is to look after the safety and security in each locality that it covered and also to assist the public during rescue and emergency situations.
“Currently, 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.
“This time, we have submitted all applicants’ information to police to be vetted before they are accepted as BPS members,” he said after Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng launched the unit yesterday.
There are currently 607 BPS members in Penang.
Phee said the number is expected to increase after the launch, adding that there was no truth in claims that former PPS members were afraid of participating in BPS.
Lim said accusations made against PPS, claiming that its members did not have discipline, were unfounded and baseless.
Lim said BPS is a clean and disciplined unit to ensure safety and harmony in the state.
PPS, formed in 2011 by the Penang state exco 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 in court.
The Penang High Court subsequently rejected the state government’s application to review the Home Ministry ban.