Govt to review welfare of Rela members
KOTA KINABALU: The government will review the welfare of the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) members, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman.
He said the government, both state and federal, had confidence in the capabilities of Rela in protecting the country from unwanted threats, especially in the East Coast.
“The issue of Rela had been raised before and during the general election.
“The truth is that we never look down or condemn the capabilities of Rela.
“We have confidence in them that they are just as capable to protect the public and community from any threats.
“But what we hope at that time (prior to the 14th General Election) Rela personnel who were being placed in ESSCom (Eastern Sabah Security Command) and ESSZone (Eastern Sabah Safety Zone) be given proper training similar or close to what other security forces, such as the army and police, were going through in their training.
“At the same time, Rela members who are on duty in ESSCom and ESSZone must be given and equipped with appropriate weapons, and not just a stick, to protect the public and to defend themselves from any kind of threats.”he said yesterday at the Rela Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at their headquarters along Jalan Sulaman, yesterday.
Also present were Rela Director General Zulkifli Abidin and Sabah Rela director Mohammad Fauzi Jumat.
Azis said the government would also look into the allowance of Rela as the latter believed it was time for its personnel to be paid accordingly.
“Everybody knows that Rela personnel are only being paid a allowance and this is what concerns us and I will bring this matter up to the government for further review as it is time for Rela, especially those stationed at ESSCom and ESSZone, be paid accordingly as how our security forces are being paid.”he said.
Meanwhile, the Sepanggar member of parliament also said that when ESSCom and ESSZone were set up by the previous government in 2013, the then prime minister had promised the people of Sabah that five Rela battalions would be placed in those areas but they had failed to do so.
“In 2017, the previous government again announced plans to place more Rela personnel in ESSCom and ESSZone.
“The issue that we raised at that time was ‘where were the promises made by the then government to have five Rela battalions at ESSCom and ESSZone.”
“But now with the new Pakatan Harapan government and as the Assistant Home Minister, I will personally make sure that those promises will be fulfilled for the safety and security of all Sabahans.”he said.
It was learnt that there were less then five Rela battalions for ESSCom and ESSZone and about 500 Rela personnel stationed in 10 areas.
Twenty children and 10 single mothers received gifts and donations from Azis yesterday.