New Straits Times

RELA HOURLY ALLOWANCE UP BY RM2

Najib also increases corps’ digital uniform budget to RM120m

- SYED UMAR ARIFF AND MOHD ISKANDAR IBRAHIM news@nst.com.my

THE government will increase the hourly service allowance for People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel by RM2 effective this year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the allowance would be increased from RM6 to RM8 per hour for Rela members, and RM7.80 to RM9.80 for officers.

He said the increase was to show the government’s appreciati­on to the 3.05 million Rela members.

“In 2012, the government increased the allowances from RM4 to RM6 for members, and RM5.80 to RM7.80 for officers.

“The government takes into considerat­ion your loyalty and sacrifices (to the country and government) and will increase the allowance by RM2.

“This is the government’s effort in appreciati­ng Rela,” he said at Rela’s 46th anniversar­y event at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang.

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa and Rela directorge­neral Zulkifli Abidin.

Najib also announced an increase in Rela’s digital uniform budget from RM100 million to RM120 million.

Addressing more than 41,000 Rela members, Najib described Rela as the country’s second layer of defence after the police and military.

“Rela has been deployed to assist in safeguardi­ng the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, among others.

“Unlike some leaders, the government will never ridicule Rela.”

He presented a Rela honorary title to Ali as part of efforts to promote participat­ion of civil servants in the corps.

The event was simultaneo­usly held in Sabah and Sarawak, led by respective chief ministers Tan Sri Musa Aman and Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg.

 ?? PIC BY SAIRIEN NAFIS ?? Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak greeting Rela members at the corps’ 46th anniversar­y event at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang yesterday.
PIC BY SAIRIEN NAFIS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak greeting Rela members at the corps’ 46th anniversar­y event at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang yesterday.

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