Rep advises villagers to form Rela units
LONG BEDIAN, Baram: Communities in the interior of Baram are advised to form People’s Volunteer Corps ( Rela) units if they have not done so to enhance safety and security in their area.
Speaking at the launch of the National Blue Ocean Strategy ( NBOS) programme at Long Bedian recently, organised by Rela Marudi District, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said they should not entirely depend on the police to protect them.
“Due to location, geography and topography, you cannot entirely depend on the police to take care of safety and security in your area.
“It takes time for the police to reach your kampungs and longhouses as they have to traverse rivers and logging roads which are risky and dangerous for those unfamiliar with the system including navigation of
Due to location, geography and topography, you cannot entirely depend on the police to take care of safety and security in your area.
the road.
“Furthermore, the police cannot be stationed 24 hours in the interior as they also look after other areas and have other tasks to carry out,” he told them.
Pointing out that Rela is a paramilitary civil volunteer corps formed by the government, Dennis said they have to be proactive and take their own initiatives or measures to enhance safety and security of their own area.
“No matter where we live, be it in the urban or sub- urban including interior areas such as Baram, we cannot stop crimes or criminals from slipping in.
“Lately, there were reports on criminal activities and drug taking and pushing occurring in areas under Telang Usan constituency.
“Even if they are petty, we must stop crimes from becoming serious especially drug taking and pushing,” he said.
However, Dennis reminded them not to take the law into their own hands although they were empowered with the citizen’s arrest.
“Report and hand over to the police those involved after you exercise the citizen’s arrest.
“Don’t bash them up as that may cause serious injuries and even death to the culprit which will make the situation worse or land yourself in trouble with the law,” Dennis reminded them.
Among the activities held in conjunction with the NBOS programme were a ‘gotongroyong’ to paint village shops and clearing the surrounding area.
Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman
Present were political secretary to the chief minister Charles Balang Seling, state Rela deputy director Agnes Lasah, Rela Marudi district officer Banquallo du Zacros and Telang Usan Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu youth chief Cr Dominic Nyurang.