Dennis (centre) presents a Rela uniform to Long Pilah headman Saging Wan as Baram Rela officer Banguallo Dee Zacros (fourth right) and others look on.
MARUDI: Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau called on more people from his constituency, especially the young ones, to join People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) as members.
Besides helping to provide public security, he said by joining the volunteer organisation, they would have the opportunity to learn about leadership skill which is necessary if they wish to lead their community as a community or church leader.Rela also instils in its members discipline and the spirit of willingness to help others, he added.
The assemblyman made the remarks when declaring open the Rela identification course and fire safety and fire fighting briefing at Long Pilah longhouse in Upper Baram recently.
A total of 103 Rela members from three longhouses – Long Pilah, Daleh Long Pelutan (Long Miri) and Sungai Dua longhouse – attended the two-day and one night programme.
Continuing on, Dennis advised the Rela platoon in every longhouse to work hand in hand with the village security and development committee (JKKK) and the church committee so as to further enhance village teamwork.
“So, we should give thanks to our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for his brilliant and strategic vision and effort to create a specific Malaysia Volunteer Department under the Home Ministry to look after Rela welfare and matters. This goes to show that Rela plays an important role in our country and is firmly recognised as part of the country’s defence at ground level.
“The formation of the department is also to take care of its members, thus bringing great benefits to Rela members including our platoons and members in very rural longhouses. So when you wear your uniform, please wear it with pride and utmost discipline as you represent the more than three million Rela members in the country,” he said.
He suggested that headmen of longhouses that do not have a Rela platoon yet to consider setting up one soon.
“Currently, only about 30 longhouses in Telang Usan have formed Rela platoons. Our target is to have at least one platoon in each longhouse or settlement in Telang Usan,” Dennis added.
At the event, Dennis presented new Rela uniforms to members and fire extinguishers to Kampung Long Pilah.
Dennis further said that he was in discussion with the Baram Rela officer to organise a competition among all longhouse Rela platoons as a way to motivate them to have planning and be always active.