Improvements necessary to boost RELA's image - Expert

The People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) must conduct a more rigorous and thorough intake process in the future in selecting its new members to ensure the quality of the department and at the same time, to boost its image.

National Defence University of Malaysia Defence and International Security Studies Centre director Lt Col Prof Ahmad Ghazali Abu Hassan said in addition to that, a structured training must also be emphasised on in order to produce highly disciplined Rela members.

"For example, indoctrination training such as understanding the importance of their duties in maintaining national security and peace must be instilled on every member.

"We want to make sure those who are really interested to become a Rela member must be clean from any criminal wrongdoing and as patriotic as any other members of enforcement authorities," he told Bernama.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced that 186,000 problematic Rela members and those involved in drugs had their membership terminated as part of an ongoing neutralisation programme that started in January this year.

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

Crime analyst Datuk Akhbar Satar said ongoing monitoring was needed to prevent Rela members from abusing their powers.

"Some of them have gone too far by flashing their authority card to the people, especially to foreigners who do not understand the limit of Rela's scope," he said, adding that the members must uphold their image because they were always close to society.

"They are the ears and eyes of the government. They need to equip themselves by improving their certain skills such as having an effective communications skill," he said.

Meanwhile, former Rela Policy and Strategic Planning director, Khairi Mohd Alwee said the neutralisation programme was timely as the organisation had been slapped with negative perceptions before this due to some undisciplined members.

"Rela had recruited too many at one point and the selection was done without stringent vetting because we were too engrossed with quantity," he said.

At the moment, Rela has 3.8 million members nationwide with 1.01 million of its members below the age of 30.