KUALA LUMPUR: Police will stop the intake of more Rela personnel into the Police Volunteer Reserve (PVR) for the time being.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said there would be no increase to the current number of 5,000 Rela members absorbed into the PVR, to assist police under the National Key Result Area on tackling crime.

He did not offer a reason for suspending the intake, which would now fall short of the previously stated target of 100,000 personnel from the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) and Rela.

“We will stop at the current number now and continue to monitor,” he said at a press conference at Bukit Aman yesterday.

He added, however, that the exercise had been unfairly given a negative perception recently.

“The move has been very positive and has helped reduce crime in many areas,” he said.

Ismail added that the police remain the lead agency in the exercise, and would always supervise the actions of Rela and JPAM personnel absorbed into the PVR.

“They are given adequate training and we will always monitor their movements,” he said.

He rubbished rumours that the blue police uniform given to JPAM and Rela under the programme would be withdrawn.

“If there is any abuse of power, I urge the people to report it and we will take action,” he said, after the third annual meeting between top level police officers and Customs Department at Bukit Aman.

He said the meeting was to strengthen ties between the agencies and find ways to stop cross-border crimes like smuggling.

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