KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has pledged to alienate state land to build a ‘home’ for the state Rela and RM250,000 for more Rela uniforms.
He said the state government would identify an appropriate location for the state Rela headquarters here.
“We will find a piece of suitable land for the Rela headquarters. We can also help to see more Rela personnel donning their own uniforms by contributing a quarter million,” he said when opening Rela’s 42nd anniversary celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here yesterday.
He said this in response to Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who earlier on, said only 10 per cent of the 229,000 Rela personnel had uniforms.
Lauding the contributions of Rela in maintaining social security and harmony in the state and nation, Taib said both pledges were among his gestures of appreciation prior to his retirement.
He was glad to note women also made up the Rela squad in the state, as every citizen could play a role in defending their land.
Earlier, Ahamd Zahid said he was impressed by the high spirit displayed by Sarawak’s Rela personnel, adding: “I have been to many places in the country, but Rela Sarawak is the best I have come across not just because of the smart uniform.”
He led thousands of Rela personnel to cheer ‘Hidup Pehin Sri’ thrice after the chief minister announced the state government would alienate a piece of land for the state Rela headquarters.
Meanwhile, director general of Rela Malaysia Dato’ Mustafa Ibrahim said 10,000 Rela personnel from throughout the state had registered for the celebration.
“I was asked to gather about 5,000 personnel for this celebration, but in this hall now, there are 7,400 of us. There are others outside the hall, marking the total turnout at 10,000 who hail from Lundu, to Mukah and all the way to Lawas.”
At the celebration, Taib also launched the Rela integrity logo and Rela patrol bicycle squad.
Among those present was Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.