186,000 rela members will be axed in clean-up - Ahmad Zahid

Some 186,000 of the 3.8 million RELA members nationwide will be removed by the Department of Volunteers in a clean-up, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the clean-up was to avoid negative elements such as involvement in crimes and disciplinary problems among members, associate members and honorary members.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the clean-up since January found that 34 of 186,000 RELA were involved in criminal cases involving offences under the Penal Code.

"RELA must be more serious if they want to add members. Quality is more important than quantity as we do not want rotten apples," he said when placing honorary and associate member ranks on Puteri UMNO Executive Council (Exco) members, here today.

Puteri UMNO chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin was among the 39 Puteri UMNO Exco members who received the ranks of RELA honorary and associate members.

Ahmad Zahid said quality was important to ensure that RELA members are serious in carrying out their duty as they are the second line of defence after the police and the armed forces.

He advised the youths to join RELA to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism and to contribute to society and the nation.

Meanwhile, RELA director-general Datuk Kamariah Mohd Noah said of the 3.8 million RELA members, 1.01 million members are 30 years-old and below.

She said the 186,000 members not only had disciplinary problems or were involved in crime but also include those who died and gave incorrect address.

The clean-up include screening by the National Registration Department, the National Anti-Drug Agency and the Prisons Department.