Ever Rela to help was published Sunday June 10, 2007, in The Star Online. Reporter Shahanaz Habib speaks with Rela director-general Datuk Zaidon Asmuni about the people’s volunteer corps.
The full article is below the cut. Here are a few choice bits:
There have been a number of cases of abuse and Rela members stealing and hitting detainees.
To me, the number of abuses is very small compared to the number of operations. I have found the walloping of illegal workers is actually in response to something that happened. If they give full co-operation when we go into a rumah kongsi, I don’t think the Rela members will start hitting them “for fun”.
Does Rela check the background of members?
We don’t do that now because we want to encourage people to join us. If a person has a bad record, then we won’t take him and may send his name to the police. If we send in 475,000 names for the police to check, it would be too time-consuming. They have other more pressing priorities.
Here are some responses to story:
Wrong to give Rela power to detain illegals
“Anyone, whether employer or worker, has a right to challenge or question Rela members – especially if they come around without uniforms. If such questioning makes them angry, then I must point out that professional law enforcement involves accountability and responsibility.
It is a mistake to give Rela arbitrary powers to detain illegal immigrants. The amendment must be rescinded as it has no mechanism of accountability, disciplinary action and does not accommodate professional training catering to the new set of responsibilities.
It was a response to past and current populist, alarmist and xenophobic beliefs that illegal immigrants are flooding the country and taking away local jobs.”
