RELA introduces stricter requirements for new applicants

The Malaysian Volunteer Department (RELA) will introduce stricter requirements for the recruitment of its new members to prevent applicants who are not Malaysians and have disciplinary problems from joining the force.

Its deputy director-general (Management) Hashim Shikh Ab Kadir said the new requirements included checks with the National Registration Department, the National Anti-Drugs Agency and the Prisons Department.

"There will be stricter requirements for new intake this year even though there is always a need for new members.

"This is because we want every member to have a high level of discipline on par with the other security forces in the country," he told reporters after the presentation of donation cheques to widows of seven RELA personnel Friday.

Also present were Kelantan RELA director Md Rawi Mohamad and Gua Musang RELA officer Yusof Ahmad.

Hashim said to date, the department had about three million members including 250,000 in Kelantan.