The cabinet has approved a proposal to place the People’s Volunteer’s Corps (Rela) under its own department today, said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In addition, he said, new ranking designations and insignias have also been approved.

“I hope this upgrade that has been approved by the cabinet will bolster your spirits,” he told some 200 Rela members at a function in Putrajaya today.

Zahid did not reveal any details of the cabinet decision today in his speech.

However,  Bernama had quoted him last month as saying that he would propose the upgrade to the cabinet.

He had said that the move is to help strengthen Rela’s role in maintaining order with other security forces.

It would not involve new allocations or positions,  but new equipment will be purchased.

Its uniform will also be changed to one with a digital camouflage pattern.