Twelve community leaders in the state yesterday were given honorary officer ranks in Rela (People’s Volunteer Corps) in an effort to boost the intake of officers.
Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong said with more community leaders in Rela, they would be able to assist the district Rela officers in carrying out their tasks and would also help attract more people to join the movement.
He said Penang had 88,153 Rela members who were always involved in various community activities.
“Up to July this, the state Rela had conducted 759 crime-prevention patrols with other security forces,” he said at the conferment of honorary ranks on the 12 community leaders, yesterday.
Among those made Lt Col (Honorary) in Rela were Penang MCA deputy chairman and Tanjong division chief Dr Loh Hock Hun, state MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan, Permatang Pauh division chief Ma Kok Ben and state Youth chief Eng
Hiap Boon.
Three Rela members, Goh Cheng Liang, Liang Wing Sim and Tan Kok Tong, received the rank of Major (Honorary).