Court rejects Penang state government's application to quash Home Ministry order

The Penang High Court on Thursday rejected the state government's application to quash the Home Ministry order which declared the Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) as an illegal organisation.

Judicial Commissioner Collin Lawrence Sequerah made the decision in chambers; present were lawyer Quah Su Enn for the Penang government and State Legal Adviser's Office, legal unit head Zahruddin Mohammed Isa.

Quah told the media that the application was turned down and grounds for the decision were expected to be released by the court next week.

"I cannot give any more information as the grounds for rejection would only be out next week. If we are going to appeal, we will have to sit down and discuss first," he said.

On Jan 27, the DAP state government filed an application for judicial review in the Penang High Court to challenge the Home Minister’s decision to declare PPS as an illegal entity.

In the application, the state government named the Home Minister, Inspector General of Police and the Malaysian government as respondents.

It sought among others, an order of certiorari to quash the Home Minister's decision on Nov 3, 2014 which declared PPS as an illegal association under Section 5(1) of the Societies Act 1966.

The state government also sought a mandamus order to compel the respondents to return all jackets, equipment, symbols, weapons or any documents belonging to PPS.

It also applied to the court to declare that PPS was established legally and properly pursuant to Section 101(v) of the Local Government Act, 1976.