GEORGE TOWN: Some 156 Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) members were released on bail, after spending nearly a day in police custody.
As of 10:30pm, next-of-kin of those affected gathered outside the Northeast district police headquarters to receive them.
However, Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer, who was arrested earlier today for questioning, remains in custody.
Northeast district police chief ACP Mior Faridalatrash Wahid said Rayer will be detained for a day for investigation. Rayer is Seri Delima DUN PPS chief.
PPS, which was formed by the state government in 2011 as a volunteer team for disasters and emergencies, was deemed illegal by the Registrar of Societies.
The Penang government, however, insisted that it was legal as it was formed under the auspices of the state executive council.
Despite being cautioned about possible arrests, 154 PPS members took part in the Merdeka Day march-past at the Esplanade yesterday.
Police detained them as they marched out and are investigated under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966.
Later, PPS chief Phee Boon Poh was also arrested and stayed overnight with the rest.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was reported as saying that the police took action against PPS personnel because they were adamant in carrying out their activities despite his prior warning that it was an illegal organisation that had been banned.
“They insisted on carrying out their activities and deliberately wanted to challenge the law and dared police to take action... they acted like gangsters," he said.
PPS has 9,002 members , with 299 teams in the state.
Reported by Predeep Nambiar