Awis (second left) presenting Rela uniforms to Joseph to mark the membership drive for the service centre.
SIBU: The People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) currently has 16,595 members registered in this district.
According to Sibu District Rela assistant commissioner Awis Adenan, these volunteers are assigned across 503 platoons.
He was speaking to reporters when met during a basic introductory course held for new members at Rela Community Service Centre for Pedada/Bukit Assek near Kandis Road here on Saturday. It was also attended by the centre’s senior deputy superintendent Joseph Lim.
A total of 150 recruits took part in the programme.
Awis said the Pedada/Bukit Assek service centre currently has 2,000 members.
“Apart from here, there are nine other Rela community service centres in Sibu; namely one each in Apollo, Sibu Jaya, Salim, Durin, Permai, Sungai Bidut and Teku Cina, as well as two in Teku Melayu.”
Awis said these centres had been actively conducting a number of community-based activities such as blood donation drives and ‘gotong-royong’ (work party).
“We strive to promote and enhance the spirit of volunteerism and unity not only among Rela members, but also those from the communities.
“Rela’s scope of coverage is more than just us keeping watch during events or functions. We also monitor the security in public areas such as schools, if the situation needs us to do so.
“In cases such as outsiders bullying school students for whatever reasons, Rela can help, provided that they are genuine cases,” he explained.