MELAKA: The Volunteer Corps Department (Rela) will take stern action against members who misuse the firearms entrusted to them, including revoking their licence and terminating their membership.
Rela acting director-general Lukeman Saaid said the warning was issued to remind members to abide by the procedure set by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the department.
According to him, members who had been given the licence to handle the weapon were regularly monitored by Rela officers in the 156 districts throughout the country.
“We view the misuse of firearm seriously, and members who used it for hunting, without the knowledge of the officers will have their licence revoked and membership terminated,” he told reporters at a Rela function here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on media reports about a Rela member who allegedly shot dead a man believed to have attempted to steal his cattle at an oil palm farm at Sungai Terah, Gua Musang, Kelantan on Wednesday.
Lukeman described the incident as an isolated case and left it to the police to investigate.
“Based on media reports, our member fired the shot to defend himself.
But let the police carry out their investigation on whether he had breached the condition or procedure,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said Rela members were only given the licence to own a firearm if their application had been approved by PDRM.
“Although application for the licence is through Rela, we only do the screening.
Those that make the cut will be referred to the PDRM, which will determine whether they qualify or really require the firearm,” he said.
In another development, he said Rela kept track of issues involving members through the integrity unit, set up to maintain the department’s image. — Bernama