Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman criticised Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for the latter’s alleged insulting remarks on People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela).

“As the Chief Minister and state leader, I had never once insulted Rela. It is not our culture to insult others, especially the Rela members.

“No matter how small or big they (Rela) are, they still play a very important role in society. We must not insult them,” Musa said in his speech officiating at the deployment of Rela members to Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) ceremony on Saturday.

Shafie was accused of belittling Rela by questioning the federal government’s move to deploy its members to the ESSZone.

He was alleged to have said in a video that has gone viral that Rela members were only meant to be used for helping control traffic at government or private functions, and not suitable as security personnel against extremist groups.

Musa said: “Recently, a certain former minister had questioned the role of Rela in ESSZone. This is not a baseless accusation.

“You yourself (the people) have seen the video. It is obvious that it is him.”

Musa said Shafie himself might have used the services of Rela members during his tenure as a minister, and he should not have forgotten.

In his speech at the event, the Chief Minister reminded the people of all the struggles faced by the country and the state, including dealing with the Lahad Datu intrusion and the security threat in the east coast.

He said all these experiences must be interpreted as valuable lessons for the country.

Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s proposal to deploy Rela members to ESSZone, Musa said he was grateful to Zahid for his eagerness to improve the state’s security control.

He said the deployment of Rela members would be initiated in stages along the ESSZone area, which spans over 1,700 kilometers.

A total of 504 Rela members had been deployed for the pilot project to assist in security control in the ESSZone  since January 1 this year.

The duties of the Rela members will focus mostly on safeguarding public order through community patrolling and the distribution of information.

It is understood that the Rela members will not be involved in the frontline or any tactical operation work by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

Among those present at the event were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Masir Kujat, State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman, Rela director-general Zulkifli Abidin and state police commissioner Datuk Ramli Din.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]