the Star News: Sunday April 20, 2008

By JASON LIOH

MALACCA: The Home Ministry is proposing that Rela be upgraded to full departmental status as an enforcement agency under the ministry.

This would enhance the organisation's enforcement and public order operations, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, adding that a draft of the proposal was being finalised before being tabled to the Government for approval.

“The role and responsibility of Rela has increased and become even more challenging.

“As such it is appropriate that the organisation be upgraded to an enforcement agency under the ministry,” he told reporters after attending Rela's get-together between officers and leaders at the Rela Southern Zone Training Camp in Sungai Udang Sunday. He said that the move would allow for better logistical support and funding for facilities, equipment, and uniforms for its personnel.

“We need to give the 508,000 volunteers sufficient training, not only to enhance Rela’s capability but also to further assist police and the Immigration Department -- as of today, it has nabbed 73,938 illegal immigrants," he added.

Under the 9th Malaysian Plan, three more Rela training camps would be set up in Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak to complement the existing camps at Sungai Udang in Malacca, Sungai Petani in Kedah and Tuaran in Sabah.