Rela members placed in Esszone can handle firearms: Rela

PETALING JAYA: People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) members placed in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) are trained to handle firearms.
"Rela members have been assigned to 10 districts within the Esszone and have been tasked to monitor safety through community patrols and information channelling. Those who have been assigned have gone through basic Rela courses and Esszone special assignment course conducted by the police, armed forces and Esscom. Firearms handling and information channelling are part of these modules," Rela said in a statement today.
The statement by Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal questioning the role played by Rela in Esszone is regretted, Rela added.
In a 21-second video that has since gone viral, Shafie is seen disputing the placement of Rela members in Esszone, as he claims they would not know how to handle weapons.
"Rela Malaysia deems his statement to be confusing to the public especially those in Sabah. It is also an insult to the 3.05 million Rela members nationwide," Rela said.