Higher allowances for Rela members, officers

SERDANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) on Saturday announced higher allowances for Rela (People's Volunteer Corps) volunteers and officers.

The allowance for volunteers is increased from RM6 to RM8 an hour while for officers from RM7.80 to RM9.80/hour.

He said the move would benefit more than 3.05 million Rela volunteers and officers throughout the country and was a token of appreciation for their loyalty as the second line of defence in national security.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, also announced an RM20mil allocation for the purchase of digital camouflage for the Rela force, which is on top of the RM100mil allocation provided earlier.

"Just now Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (who is also Home Minister) had whispered to me that it would be good if the RM100mill allocation was increased by RM20mil.

"So at this gathering, taking into consideration your loyalty, I am increasing the allocation by RM20mil, more so because only 550,000 of the more and three million-strong Rela force own digital uniforms," he said at Rela's 46th anniversary celebration at Taman Ekspo Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (Maeps) here Saturday.

Najib also hinted that additional allocations were in store for Rela if the Barisan Nasional continued to receive the mandate in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Since the Rela transformation programme was started in 2012, Najib said the role of the corps now had become more challenging including becoming the second line of defence in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

Although not at the front line together with the Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Armed Forces, the work of Rela was significant in ensuring security of the zone, he said.

Najib said Rela also played a role during natural disasters like floods apart from being stationed in areas at risk of terrorist threats.

"There are times when Rela members face dangers and risky situations, are assaulted and cursed, being made fun of, but I am certain their spirit is becoming stronger," he said.

Najib also praised Rela's membership which comprised various ethnic groups, reflecting the 1Malaysia spirit and social cohesiveness of the Malaysian society.

"Do continue our struggle, to serve our country. Rela has always sacrificed and been devoted, despite being "tossed around by the waves and the oceans, despite being hit by storms (of slander) and hurricanes (of challenges)", for the sake of Malaysia, our beloved nation, this nation's sovereignty will always be protected," said Najib to roaring cheers by Rela members who were present.

Also present were Dr Ahmad Zahid, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Home Ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman.

At the event, the Prime Minister also conferred the rank of Chief Commissioner of Rela (Honorary) to Ali.

The celebration was also held simultaneously at Universiti Malaysia Sabah and at Stadium Perpaduan Petrajaya, Sarawak, that saw the attendance of more than 40,000 Rela members from around the country.

Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg attended the celebration in their respective states. - Bernama