Rela members on the increase

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Twenty-two new Rela platoons have been formed in various places in George Town about a month ago.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said he was happy with the good response from the people.

He said the ministry hoped that one member from each family would become volunteers in either Rela or Rukun Tetangga.

“There are currently more than 2.6mil Rela members in Malaysia while in Penang alone, as of November, there are a total of 110,118 members.

“A breakdown shows that there are 51,019 Malays, 48,582 Chinese, 10,197 Indians and the remaining 282 are from the other races,” he said in his speech during a ceremony at Penang Times Square on Monday.

Smart attention: Lee inspecting the new Rela members during the launching of the new platoons in George Town

Lee said Rela members in Penang had taken part in 1,759 patrolling exercises with the police, Fire and Rescue Department and Immigration Department this year up to November.

He added that it was important for Rela to portray a 1Malaysia image with participation from all groups of people.

“Rela members are always ready to help other government agencies whenever they are needed,” he said.

Lee also announced that the ministry will install a repeater that cost more than RM40,000 on the island this month to improve communication among Rela members.

Repeater is a device that increases the range and coverage of walkie-talkie.

During the ceremony, nine Rela members were promoted to district liaison chiefs, five to platoon chiefs while 22 acting platoon chiefs.

State Rela director Romli Ibrahim said there were more than 3,300 Rela platoons in Penang.