Rela in ESSZone to be reviewed — Mohd Azis

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman said the preparedness of the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) will be reviewed.

He said aspects that needed to be studied included providing proper training and payment of weapons allowances for Rela members stationed in the area.

“This should be noted because the area posed not only a high risk from threats but it is also still under curfew.

“We do not doubt the ability of Rela members but want them to be given training and proper equipment because we know this area may be attacked by terrorists at any time,” he told a press conference after a meeting with Rela members in Sepanggar here yesterday.

Also present were Rela directorgeneral, Zulkifli Abidin and Sabah Rela director, Mohammad Pauzi Jumat.

Commenting further, Mohd Azis said the members of Rela, which is an agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, had contributed a great deal to the people.

He said Rela was one of the agencies which was close to the people not only in looking after security but also providing services to them.

“As such, we must also listen to the heartbeat of the Rela members (and look after their welfare),” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azis hoped the government would consider stationing five battalions of soldiers to boost safety at the ESSZone.

He said the previous government had promised to send five battalions of soldiers to the ESSZone but, until to date, this had not materialised despite terrorism being still a threat in the area.

“We are not doubting the capability of Rela members in the area and but we want the promise to be fulfilled. We hope the present government will consider the need to station five army battalions in ESSZone,” he said. — Bernama