The vicious political attack against the Penang state government through falsehoods and lies against the Voluntary Patrol Unit(Pasukan Peronda Sukarela) continues unabated with the latest false allegations of corruption in the state government’s allocations approved for PPS. The Penang state government has nothing to hide and welcomes any investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission(MACC) to prove these latest allegations as a lie.
Full co-operation will be given to MACC, where it shall be proven that any such expenditure follows government financial procedures. Penang state government has repeatedly being lauded by the yearl有 Auditor-General’s Report as amongst the best performing state in the country. Through CAT governance of competency, accountability and transparency Penang has also recorded yearly surpluses and increased asset reserves by 50% from 2008 to RM1.2 billion in 2013.
The state government wishes to repeat the previous announcement of the amount spent on PPS as follows:-
2011 – RM 869,820.00
2012 – RM 1,363,827.00
2013 – RM 1,592,482.90
This is not RM 1.5 billion as initially claimed by UMNO, which then quickly “reversed gear” and backed down when challenged to provide proof. The amount spent for 9,002 members is kept under control because they work voluntarily without pay with only clothing and walkie-talkies provided by the state government. PPS role is limited to helping in emergencies and responding to the police’s call for community policing to fight crime. There were no problems with the police during the last 4 years.
Just because one or two wrongful action is committed does not mean that all should be punished. If that is the logic, then should the entire 120,000 police force be punished for police personnel using C4 explosives to murder or the recent wrongful and tragic shooting of Norizan Salleh, a single mother, who won a RM300,000 compensation judgment for her pain and suffering?
Now BN has made PPS into a sensitive emotional issue because it is politically motivated, especially when the members now are multi-racial with 57% Chinese, 33% Malays and 10% Indians. With increasing number of Malays participating, PPS would be 45% Malays, 45% Chinese and 10% Indians by the end of 2015.
The state government reiterates its stand that it is lawful to form the PPS as a voluntary unit. If that is disputed by BN or by the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) now when it was not an issue over the last 4 years, then let the courts decide and the state government will respect and abide by the court’s decision.
Even upholding the rule of law is seen as challenging the IGP. PR leaders are different from BN leaders. Whilst PR leaders are subjected to arrest, we will not be bullied for doing what is right. As leaders, we must lead from the front and not hide nor lead from behind.
The lies by BN and the BN media against the Penang state government continue. I have been patient but when my own statements get distorted without any correction and apology, I have no choice but to file legal proceedings. I will be instituting defamatory action against the New Straits Times unless it withdraws and apologises for false reporting.