The prime minister says it is to appreciate their role as the country's second line of defence.
Prime Minister Najib Razak promises more goodies for Rela members if BN wins the next polls.
SERDANG: Prime Minister Najib Razak today announced higher allowances for members of the People’s Volunteer Corps, or Rela.
The allowance for volunteers is increased by 33% from RM6 to RM8 an hour while officers will get 25% more, from RM7.80 to RM9.80 an hour.
The move will benefit more than three million Rela volunteers and officers throughout the country.
Najib said it was to appreciate their loyalty as the second line of defence for national security.
Najib, who is finance minister, also announced a RM20 million allocation for the purchase of digital camouflage for the Rela force, on top of the RM100 million allocation provided earlier.
“Just now, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi whispered to me that it would be good if the RM100 million allocation was increased by RM20 million,” he said at Rela’s 46th anniversary celebration at Taman Ekspo Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (Maeps) today.
“So at this gathering, taking into consideration your loyalty, I am increasing the allocation by RM20 million, more so because only 550,000 of the more than three million-strong Rela force own digital uniforms,” he said.
Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said additional allocations were in store for Rela if the coalition continued to receive the voters’ mandate in the 14th general election (GE14).
Najib said the role of the corps had become more challenging, including becoming the second line of defence in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), since the Rela transformation programme was started in 2012.
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 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 said Rela serves as the eyes, ears and hands of the government at all levels of the community.
Najib also praised Rela’s multiracial membership, saying it reflected the 1Malaysia spirit.
“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,” he said.
At the event, Najib also conferred the Chief Commissioner of Rela (Honorary) rank to Chief Secretary to the Government, Ali Hamsa.
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