The new law governing the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) will be formulated after studying the experiences of several countries, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today.        

As such, it will take some time for the bill to be drafted and tabled in parliament, he said. The bill is expected to be tabled in March.        

"The act is still in the legal workshop stage," he told reporters after the presentation of Rela 2012 honorary ranks for the southern zone (Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor) at a hotel in Malacca .      

The new act will come into force following the recent lifting of emergency proclamations.  

Hishammuddin said the new act will ensure that Rela, a volunteer force of almost three million personnel, will remain relevant for a long time to come.       

As of last month, Rela had 2.82 million personnel. It was established on Jan 1, 1972.      

"The rebirth of Rela transcends the era of political transformation and prepares the force to face new and sophisticated threats to security," he said.       

He also said that 17,230 Rela personnel were on standby to be mobilised nationwide in the event of floods.      

Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong and Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Hasan Malek, conferred the honorary rank of major-general, led the 108 recipients of ranks at the event.  

Also present was Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop.

-Bernama.