Tuesday February 19, 2013
Five million Rela volunteers by 2020
By NIGEL EDGAR
nigeledgar@thestar.com.my
PADAWAN: The People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) honorary major general Datuk James Dawos wants the body to recruit more youths in line with its target of having five million members nationwide by 2020.
Currently, there were about 3.1 million Rela members in Malaysia, with about 230,000 in Sarawak, making it the third state with the most number in the country.
“I urge Rela to recruit more youths to help keep them away from social ills and crimes.
“At the same time, they (youths) can also help in crime prevention and enjoy the RM6 hourly allowance as stated in the new Rela Act,” he told some 1,000 guests comprising Rela personnel, community leaders and members of the public during the corps’ Chinese New Year celebration at Tapah Community Hall near here on Sunday night.
Dawos said the big leap in the allocation for Rela, from RM70mil the previous years to RM410mil this year, proved that the Government acknowledged the role Rela played in maintaining security in the country.
As such, Rela’s role and responsibility had also increased, much like other government agencies, he added.
“I think that should attract more youths to join Rela,” said Dawos, adding that school leavers would make the best recruits.
He said out of 3.1 million members nationwide, about 900,000 were youths.
Earlier, Rela Director-General Gen Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim said Rela had received much support from the Government.
“We (Rela) are steadfast in serving the Government because we are from the people and for the people.
“Now we are being highly acknowledged by the Government.
“Back in the old days, our jobs were just helping to control traffic, keeping watch at parking spaces and maintaining security at public events.
“Today, we work with the police on patrols, keeping security at small airports and joining operations with other enforcement agencies,” he said.
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