Allowing Rela members to wear police uniforms will create more problems-SAPP

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has censured the federal government's proposal to allow the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) members to wear police uniforms, describing it as dubious.

Its information chief Chong Pit Fah, claimed that if implemented, such a move would create more problems rather than helping the security forces like the police to maintain law and order.

He said it would especially have a far-reaching impact on Sabah in view of the presence of a great number of 'dubious citizens' who are originally illegal immigrants from the neighbouring countries, who have obtained their Malaysian citizenship through dubious means.

'477% increase in Rela an election dirty trick?'

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has demanded the home minister explains the staggering 477 percent increase in Rela (Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia) members since 2008, asking if this is a “dirty trick” to boost the BN's vote bank ahead of the next general election.

“I urge Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein to explain why the Home Ministry has increased Rela members by 477 percent between 2008 and 2010, when Malaysia is not under the threat of war or natural disaster.

“Hishamuddin must justify the increase in the cost of emolument and personal accident insurance premium that the government now has to bear,” the MP (right) said in a statement today.

In his written reply to Kok's question in Parliament, Hishamuddin had revealed that as of Dec 31, 2010, there were 2,593,263 registered Rela members throughout the country.