“We will most likely outlaw it as well. So it’s better to dissolve it as the police are capable of ensuring there is public order in Penang.

“They don’t need to worry about any chaos, we won’t allow it,” Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters at a press conference in Universiti Sains Malaysia today.

He was asked to comment on the formation of the BPS, which has been a bone of contention between the Penang government and the police.

The BPS, which was launched in November, is a volunteer unit set up in lieu of the state’s Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS), which was banned in November last year.

The BPS, the Penang government says, was not illegal as it was under the auspices of the state Village Development and Security Committee.

Previously, the PPS was parked under the state Welfare Committee.

Khalid warned BPS it will face the music if it is not dissolved, although he did not give any timeframe for it to do so.

He then suggested that BPS members join the community policing initiative under the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), adding that could help the men in blue and “not take over their jobs”.

“There are over 60 other organisations affiliated with the police. Why can’t they join these organisations which are also approved by the Registrar of Societies?”

Khalid went on to reveal that Penang’s crime rate stood at 6%, which was similar to the rate recorded in the same period last year.

BPS was formed under the Village Development and Security Committee to look after safety and security. It is also to assist members of the public during rescue and emergency situations.

BPS has been set up in 40 areas, with RM30,000 allocated in each area. There are now 607 BPS members.