In a democractic country like Malaysia, we have the Police, FRU, RELA and Fire Brigade to assist Malaysians to maintain law and order. However, the Penang State government saw it fit to allow and fully support the establishment of the Voluntary Patrol Team (PPS) to ensure crime rate continues to decline while meeting the challenges in efforts to make Penang as the safest state in Malaysia.
The Puzzle
1. It does not make sense that at the launch of the PPS on 15th September 2011, the Chief Minister, Mr. Lim Guan Eng, he said that Penang has recorded a decline in the crime rate in Malaysia is the largest of 27% in 2010 and for the first six months of this year registered a decline of 25%. Then why the need for PPS?
2. LGE also acknowledged the crime reduction factor is due to the cooperation and contribution to the efforts of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), especially the state police chief, Dato 'Wira Ayub Yaakob bin, installation of closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) at the black-and participation of community policing team. Then why the need for PPS?
If the police are already doing their duties effectively, why introduce PPS as a medium to help the police patrol and ensuring the safety of the people of Penang?
The Accountability Factor
According to LGE's speech at the PPS awards ceremony on 20th October 2013 at Chai Leng Park:
1. Chairman of PPS is Phee Boon Poh
2. PPS was established in 2011 to help reduce the crime rate increasing patrols through local neighborhoods and create a fun, safe and united environment.
3. His speech stated there are 256 teams PPS established and 7,702 registered members of all Kadun in Penang.
4. The number is increasing from time to time as the State Government's target for this year is to achieve the target of 10,000 PPS.
5. A special account under the name of Akaun Khas Pasukan Peronda Sukarela Negeri Pulau Pinang was established for the State Government to channel the annual allocation of RM1.5 million. This provision is available to assist in conducting patrols PPS.
Through this account the State Government will commit resources based on the number of teams that are under Kadun respectively. For example, if there is only one team under Kadun, then 10,000 will go to the assemblyman and where there are two teams, 20,000 will be disbursed.
6. Dommunication equipment such as walkie-talkie sets, clothing, vest, hat and so on are provided to members to help PPS in patrols.
7. Insurance coverage to ensure the welfare of PPS awake.
8. Additional equipment such as flashlights, shoes and so on are also being provided to the members of PPS.
Where are the progammes, records and progress reports of the 276 teams?
To whom are the annual accounts presented and how is it audited? Is this part of the Penang State Budget?
How are they monitored and by whom? To whom do the leaders report? How does the state government control the PPS members?
Although it is a volunteer group, what are the criteria for selection and tests/interviews for admission to this group?
2. PPS was established in 2011 to help reduce the crime rate increasing patrols through local neighborhoods and create a fun, safe and united environment.
3. His speech stated there are 256 teams PPS established and 7,702 registered members of all Kadun in Penang.
4. The number is increasing from time to time as the State Government's target for this year is to achieve the target of 10,000 PPS.
5. A special account under the name of Akaun Khas Pasukan Peronda Sukarela Negeri Pulau Pinang was established for the State Government to channel the annual allocation of RM1.5 million. This provision is available to assist in conducting patrols PPS.
Through this account the State Government will commit resources based on the number of teams that are under Kadun respectively. For example, if there is only one team under Kadun, then 10,000 will go to the assemblyman and where there are two teams, 20,000 will be disbursed.
6. Dommunication equipment such as walkie-talkie sets, clothing, vest, hat and so on are provided to members to help PPS in patrols.
7. Insurance coverage to ensure the welfare of PPS awake.
8. Additional equipment such as flashlights, shoes and so on are also being provided to the members of PPS.
Where are the progammes, records and progress reports of the 276 teams?
To whom are the annual accounts presented and how is it audited? Is this part of the Penang State Budget?
How are they monitored and by whom? To whom do the leaders report? How does the state government control the PPS members?
Although it is a volunteer group, what are the criteria for selection and tests/interviews for admission to this group?
The Attack
According to FMT:
A social activist who was assaulted last night by a group of helmet-wielding men alleged today that the attack was politically motivated.
Ong Eu Soon, 52, told a press conference that some of his attackers were wearing the purple vest of the Voluntary Police Patrol Unit (PPS), an agency created and sponsored by the state government.
He said the assailants told him they objected to his outspokenness and his criticism of the state government.
Ong, who sustained a swollen eye and minor injuries, has sought outpatient treatment at the Penang Hospital.
He said the attack happened at a marketplace in Bandar Baru Air Itam at 10.45pm. CLICK HERE for more.
According to FMT:
A social activist who was assaulted last night by a group of helmet-wielding men alleged today that the attack was politically motivated.
Ong Eu Soon, 52, told a press conference that some of his attackers were wearing the purple vest of the Voluntary Police Patrol Unit (PPS), an agency created and sponsored by the state government.
He said the assailants told him they objected to his outspokenness and his criticism of the state government.
Ong, who sustained a swollen eye and minor injuries, has sought outpatient treatment at the Penang Hospital.
He said the attack happened at a marketplace in Bandar Baru Air Itam at 10.45pm. CLICK HERE for more.
The Other Side of the Story
The Malay Mail reported:
The two volunteer patrol unit members arrested over the alleged assault of a man Sunday night claimed today they were the ones beaten up while they were not on duty.
The duo, Lee Yew Kuen and Lee Chan Kwong, lodged police reports on the incident, insisting they were not in uniform on Sunday night and were first attacked by the man who accused them of assaulting him.
According to 35-year-old Chan Kwong, he was at Farlim Air Itam market at about 11pm on Sunday night when a man stopped him at his motorcycle.
He said the unknown man approached him angrily and pushed him until he fell off his motorcycle.
“My friend came to my assistance but the man became violent and hit my friend’s head using a stick until he was bleeding,” he claimed in his report.
Chan Kwong’s friend Yew Kuen also lodged a report recounting the same scenario....
The police arrested both Yew Kuen and Chan Kwong yesterday to assist in investigations into the case. They were released on police bail until September 1.
Today, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh Deo, state assemblymen Wong Hon Hai, RSN Rayer and Yeoh Soon Hin said they will take up the men’s case. CLICK HERE for more
The Burning Questions Which Demand Logical Answers
1a. Ong Eu Soon filed his police report at 11.05 p.m. on Sunday, 17th August, 2014.
1b. Malaysiakini, The Rakyat Post, and The Malay Mail reported that "Chan Kwong said that a stranger later identified as Ong had approached him at the Farlim Market at 11p.m. and pushed him off his motorcycle causing bruises on his left arm.
1c. How in the world is it possible for Ong Eu Soon to approach Chan Kwong at 11 p.m. in Farlim and then attack Lee Yew Kuen with a stick until he bled and then to have made his way to Bandar Baru Police Station and finished lodging the police report by 11.05p.m.?
If all that true, Ong Eu Soon must have the Kung Fu skills of Ip Man or the legendary Wong Fei Hoong AND the speed of DC Comic hero Flash. Wow! So, is it humanly possible?
2. According to The Sun Daily, TEN men attacked Ong Eu Soon with helmets and their bare hands whereas Ong Eu Soon fought back with an 8-inch long wooden stick kept in his pocket. Is it possible that ONE MAN can single-handedly inflict such injuries on one of the TEN MEN attacking him? Picture the scenario - HELMETS and BARE hands versus an 8-inch wooden stick. Logical? Possible?
Those men must be hero-worshipping and idolising Ong Eu Soon as a Kung Fu exponent in the tradition of Jet Li or Jacky Chan for them to come up with such a story!
3. Why did the two PPS guys wait till Monday morning to make the police report?
4. Why did State executive Councillor and PPS Chairman wait until 19th August,Tuesday to hold a press conference on this incident? Why weren't the OTHER PPS MEMBERS who were together with Lee Yew Kuen and Lee Chan Kwong present at the press conference? Why haven't they come forward to make police reports? Why did they flee the scene? Scared of ONE man? If that be the case, how can they defend citizens of Penang?
PCM Vice-President Datuk Huan Cheng Guan held a press conference on 18th August, Monday on the same incident.
5. Immediately after the incident, Ong Eu Soon went to General Hospital for a medical checkup and X-rays to ascertain the extent and seriousness of his injuries. There is no mention of him in a drunken state as alleged by the perpetrators.
Why didn't Lee Yew Kuen and Lee Chan Kwong go for medical checkups to do the same? Why did they show their injuries at the press conference where NO MEDICAL personnel was present? It means the injuries were not serious enough to warrant a visit to the hospital or clinic!
This is Ong Eu Soon's after the attack:
This is Lee Yew Kuen's injury:
6. Within hours after the arrest, someone posted bail for Lee Yew Kuen and Lee Chan Kwong. The Rakyat Post reported that Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament Ramkarpal Singh, along with assemblymen Wong Hon Hai, RSN Rayer and Yeoh Soon Hin said they would be representing the two Lees in court.
In sharp contrast, the late Karpal Singh's driver C Selvam languished in prison for four months until Datuk Huan Cheng Guan posted bail for him and Baljit Singh from Gerakan is acting for C Selvam pro bono on humanitarian ground.
Selective assistance? You be the judge!
In sharp contrast, the late Karpal Singh's driver C Selvam languished in prison for four months until Datuk Huan Cheng Guan posted bail for him and Baljit Singh from Gerakan is acting for C Selvam pro bono on humanitarian ground.
Selective assistance? You be the judge!
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