The People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) is part of a security system component which operates to complement the services of other uniformed bodies in defending national sovereignty, said Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man.

He said most Rela members are former security forces members, who have been trained and would be capable of handling firearms if given the responsibility.

"We have to understand the duties of the Rela team, we cannot belittle their role and efforts because each security body will have their own specialities.

"I am confident that the policymakers, namely the Home Ministry, had already thought of the specific task for Rela members when stationing them at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone)," he told reporters here today.

He was commenting on a statement made by Parti Warisan Sabah president, Mohd Shafie Apdal who questioned Rela’s credibility and had looked down on the role of Rela members who were assigned to the Esszone.

In a video that has since gone viral, Shafie in his speech in “Bicara Presiden Warisan” programme in Tuaran, Sabah, recently, questioned the move to assign Rela members who were not skilled to handle firearms at the Esszone.

He reportedly said that Rela members were only fit to control road traffic at festive celebrations.

Azlan added that before being assigned to the Esszone every Rela member must have been given the appropriate training and equipment for the task.

"Although Rela members are often seen controlling road traffic, this is also a security measure.

"Do not look down on Rela members or belittle their role in ensuring overall peace and security in the country," he said.

- Bernama