Rela personnel to be stationed in ESSZone to assist authorities - Ahmad Zahid

The People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) will be stationed in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) to help the existing authorities in carrying out their duties, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said his ministry would discuss with the National Security Council (MKN) to deliberate on the implementation method including the number of Rela personnel to be deployed to ESSZone, which fell under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom).

"We will help ESSCom, which it is under the MKN. As for preparedness in the ESSZone that spanned 1,700 kilometres, Rela (members) will help," he told reporters after officiating the 45th national-level Rela anniversary celebration at Kota Kinabalu Padang Merdeka here today.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Rela director-general Zulkifli Abidin, as well as federal and state ministers.

Ahmad Zahid said Rela would act as a supplementary team in the ESSZone while the power to arrest would still lie in the hands of the police force and the military.

The deputy prime minister also pinned the Honorary Commissioner Rank on Musa at the event.

The celebration, attended by about 8,100 Rela personnel from the state, including 200 members from Lawas, Sarawak, was held for the first time in Sabah.

Among the objectives was to give opportunity for the members, especially in Sabah to listen to the message by Ahmad Zahid on the direction and involvement of Rela in strengthening unity among the people of various races, religions and cultures. - BERNAMA