6,000 RELA MEMBERS FOR ESSZONE
500 members will be trained in a pilot project, says Zahid
ATOTAL of 6,148 People’s Volunteers Corps (Rela) members from 10 districts will be stationed within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) as second-liners to safeguard the area.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was agreed upon during the closed-door Esszone Advisory Board meeting held at the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) headquarters here.
Zahid co-chaired the meeting with Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
A pilot project involving 500 Rela members will be rolled out first to train them.
“There are 121,888 Rela members in the state, but we are mobilising 6,148 active members.
“We will involve 500 members in the pilot project first and we will study the jurisdiction aspect under the National Security Council Act. Security agencies still hold the authority in Esszone.
“Rela members (being locals) know the terrain, but they need training in terms of legal and security aspects.
“Nonetheless, security agencies will continue with their duties in Esszone as usual, where Rela will be their backup within 24 hours in specified areas.
“We will announce when we will begin this (pilot project).”
He said this was in line with efforts to promote tourism in Sabah, targeting one million tourists from China.
The government also planned to continue the curfew in Esszone “until we are fully confident that it is no longer needed”.
He added that the government, through Esscom, had engaged communities in Esszone through outreach programmes to instil a sense of responsibility in keeping the coastline safe.
In a statement released after the meeting, Zahid said the meeting also discussed the welfare of security agencies in the zone, where they agreed to upgrade the General Operations Force and Action Plan Committee posts.
The issue of lack of logistic supplies for daily operations would also be dealt with, so as not to dampen their spirits while on duty, said Zahid.