Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced an additional allocation of RM20 million for the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), on top of the RM100 million already allocated this year.
"The deputy prime minister whispered to me that RM80 million was given to buy uniforms last year, and RM100 million was given this year, wouldn't it be good if, from the RM180 million, RM20 million is added.
"As such, at this gathering, taking into account your loyalty, I will add an additional RM20 million," said Najib to loud cheers of some 5,000 Rela personnel present at the 46th Rela celebrations in Serdang today.
"InsyaAllah (God willing), after we berhari raya (celebrate Hari Raya), if the government gets a new mandate, we will give more allocation," said Najib in reference to the upcoming general election.
Najib also raised the allowances of Rela personnel and officers from RM6 to RM8 and RM7.80 to RM 9.80 respectively.
The last time the allowances were increased was in 2012, from RM4 to RM6 per hour and RM5.80 to RM7.80 per hour respectively.
Najib, earlier in his speech, said Rela was a body which reflects society's grassroots composition.
"It is fitting to say that Rela personnel are the government's eyes, ears and hands," he said.
In ending his speech, Najib expressed gratitude for the contributions of Rela personnel and made a reference to negative comments against the body made by Parti Warisan Sabah president and former Umno minister Shafie Apdal in January.
"As the government, we would never ridicule Rela personnel although some people may do so but we don't.
"Rela is close to the government's heart. As such, let us continue to fight and serve the country," he said.
A paramilitary civil volunteer corps, there is currently up to 3.05 million Rela personnel in the country. -Mkini
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