Ever Rela to help

With powers to crack down on illegal foreign workers, Rela, the People’sVoluntary Corp, is enjoying a new lease of life. But it has found itself in thenews for the wrong reasons with its members being accused of beating upillegal workers, stealing from them and detaining legitimate foreign tourists.Rela director-general Datuk Zaidon Asmuni speaks to Sunday Staron therole of the voluntary body. 

Rela was formed on Jan 11, 1972 after the May 13, 1969, incident. The Government felt Rela was one way to unite the rakyat alongside Rukun Tetangga and the National Unity Ministry. People of all races, both male and female, can be members of Rela.