I wrote this response to Razali Haji Mohamed Yassin who was obviously covering for his boss, the DG of Rela.
-------------------
I refer to the letter written by Razali Haji Mohamed Yassin (The Star, June 19) who wrote on behalf of the Director-General of Rela, in response to my comments regarding the Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia.
His letter only further highlights and demonstrates the issues behind the concerns of Malaysians anxious of the perceived increased in powers entrusted to Rela.
In fact, several of Razali's points contradicted those of his boss, the Director General in the latter's published interview (The Star, June 10), and are poor reflections of an organisation which is supposed to be involved in the enforcement of the law and assisting the police.
Razali's statement that the authority given to Rela since March 2005 is limited to only 290 Rela officers appointed by the Government, is a case in point. It is very obvious that the people at the platoon level didn’t get the memo concerning this as there have been too many occasions during operations where individual Rela members have, imbued with perceived vested authority, acted with impunity like "little Napoleons" and with little regard or respect of issues such as human rights and dignity.
Razali stated that there was confusion of Rela's authority which has raised questions about the integrity of Rela. I would agree to this and add that there also exists continued confusion within Rela's own ranks as to what it can and cannot do, which is an injustice to the men and women who have contributed their time to be part of this voluntary body. I refer back to the interview with the DG, who accurately relates and appears to condone the actual conduct (not wearing uniforms and being enraged at being asked for identification) of officers and members during undercover operations against illegal immigrants.
However, I am glad that Razali clarified and highlighted the requirement for the wearing of Rela uniforms during operations and the need for all personnel to produce identification when requested to do so by the public. These two critical issues, featured prominently and alarmingly during the interview with the DG, are necessary to prevent the abuse of power and corruption.
It is unfortunate that Rela, which has and continues to be a tremendous asset involved in social development programmes and humanitarian operations from the individual village up to the national level, has been dragged into the issue of illegal immigrants. Razali implies in his letter that illegal immigrants are exclusively responsible for the spread of social ills and diseases in this country, and that Rela needs to help the Government in dealing with this problem. I content that Rela has no role in this and should not be involved.
Razali should also drop the paternalistic tone in his response ("everyone should be thankful for Rela's contribution..") as his letter has failed to address the Malaysian public's and my own continued concern and reality of allegations of violence, abuse of power, and criminality amongst a group of individuals who are insufficiently trained. The continued disconnect of the policy makers in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the failure to acknowledge and address the reality on the ground is an alarming yet familiar trend which must speedily be addressed.
I have tremendous respect to the thousands of Malaysians who have volunteered their time and energy to any organisation which contributes to the well-being of the country. However, refusing to address the concerns of the public regarding the proper conduct of Rela members and failing to provide and enforce clear guidelines, training, direction and mandate to this voluntary body, is a continued disservice to these women and men.
To earn the respect of the Malaysian public, Rela must get its act together
20 June 2007
Response from Rela
Yesterday, The Star published a response to my and somebody else's letter, written by Razali Mohamed Yassin of Rela, Ministry of Home Affairs:
Rela doing a great job
The Star (19 June 2007)
I REFER the letters written by Azrul Mohd Khalib (The Star, June 12) and SH (The Star, June 13).
Rela welcomes any comments, ideas or responses that can improve its efficiency and role.
Up to May 31, Rela had 480,023 participants, of which 43,1867 are Relawans and 48,156 Relawatis. They come from different backgrounds and education levels and are of various ages.
The authority that was given to Rela since March 2005 was for only the 290 Rela officers appointed by the Government. The 480,023 Rela participants were not vested with this authority.
This has to be clarified, as many parties are confused over Rela's authority so much so it has become a major issue, raising questions about the integrity of Rela.
Rela members are only given the authority when they are involved in operations that are led by at least one Rela officer.
Their authority will only last during the duration of the operation and shall expire once the operation is completed.
Members of Rela are required to wear their uniforms during any operation and the public can request identification from members of Rela if they are suspicious of their actions.
A Rela member can also be identified by his name and platoon number that appears on the uniform.
Between Jan 1 and June 13, Rela arrested 18,445 illegal immigrants in 3,713 operational areas.
The increasing number shows the commitment and sacrifices of Rela members who are willing to help the Government deal with the influx of illegal immigrants.
An allegation that Rela members are only interested in the payment of RM80 for each illegal immigrant is not true.
The Government has also declared that the problem of illegal immigrants is the second biggest problem after drugs.
This issue is serious as illegal immigrants cause problems for the country, including the spread of social ills and diseases.
Everyone should be thankful for Rela's contribution, which has to be seen positively because there have not been enough volunteers in this country.
Rela's sense of patriotism and responsibility has to be respected and it is unfair if some of us try to deny its contribution and call for the force to be disbanded.
Rela is not just involved in operations but also in social activities, human development and socio-economic programmes.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), associations and individuals should help Rela overcome its weaknesses and come out with suggestions, ideas or guidance so that the Government can continue to support and protect Rela against unnecessary criticism or comments.
The suggestion to disband Rela is not practical.
RAZALI BIN HAJI MOHAMED YASSIN,
On the behalf of the Director-General,
Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia (RELA)
Ministry of Home Affairs.
Rela doing a great job
The Star (19 June 2007)
I REFER the letters written by Azrul Mohd Khalib (The Star, June 12) and SH (The Star, June 13).
Rela welcomes any comments, ideas or responses that can improve its efficiency and role.
Up to May 31, Rela had 480,023 participants, of which 43,1867 are Relawans and 48,156 Relawatis. They come from different backgrounds and education levels and are of various ages.
The authority that was given to Rela since March 2005 was for only the 290 Rela officers appointed by the Government. The 480,023 Rela participants were not vested with this authority.
This has to be clarified, as many parties are confused over Rela's authority so much so it has become a major issue, raising questions about the integrity of Rela.
Rela members are only given the authority when they are involved in operations that are led by at least one Rela officer.
Their authority will only last during the duration of the operation and shall expire once the operation is completed.
Members of Rela are required to wear their uniforms during any operation and the public can request identification from members of Rela if they are suspicious of their actions.
A Rela member can also be identified by his name and platoon number that appears on the uniform.
Between Jan 1 and June 13, Rela arrested 18,445 illegal immigrants in 3,713 operational areas.
The increasing number shows the commitment and sacrifices of Rela members who are willing to help the Government deal with the influx of illegal immigrants.
An allegation that Rela members are only interested in the payment of RM80 for each illegal immigrant is not true.
The Government has also declared that the problem of illegal immigrants is the second biggest problem after drugs.
This issue is serious as illegal immigrants cause problems for the country, including the spread of social ills and diseases.
Everyone should be thankful for Rela's contribution, which has to be seen positively because there have not been enough volunteers in this country.
Rela's sense of patriotism and responsibility has to be respected and it is unfair if some of us try to deny its contribution and call for the force to be disbanded.
Rela is not just involved in operations but also in social activities, human development and socio-economic programmes.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), associations and individuals should help Rela overcome its weaknesses and come out with suggestions, ideas or guidance so that the Government can continue to support and protect Rela against unnecessary criticism or comments.
The suggestion to disband Rela is not practical.
RAZALI BIN HAJI MOHAMED YASSIN,
On the behalf of the Director-General,
Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia (RELA)
Ministry of Home Affairs.
10 June 2007
Rela and accountability (or lack thereof)
I refer to the article "Rela chief: We want more power" (4 June 2007) published in Malaysiakini and an interview titled “Ever Rela to help” (Sunday Star, 10 June). These interviews with Rela’s Director General (DG) Datuk Zaidon Asmuni went a long way towards explaining the mindset behind the many recent actions and dealings of this organization.
My read from these articles is that Datuk Zaidon is overly influenced by his past employment as the Pahang Immigration Department director which has severely coloured his judgement and interpretation of the mandate entrusted to Rela (People’s Voluntary Corp). It appears that the DG has treated the amendment to the 1972 Regulations as a blank check for Rela as far as illegal immigrants are concerned.
Rela is neither a professional law enforcement organisation nor is it the Immigration Department or the Police Force. However, this almost half a million strong volunteer force has now received and utilised powers which are, in many instances, equal to and beyond those given to our normal law enforcement bodies. The rationale that it is cost effective to utilise a large volunteer force to conduct the business of law enforcement is not good enough to justify the empowering of this organisation without the necessary checks and balances. It places good and useful citizens in the unfair and impossible position of enforcing the law without knowing the law. A 10 day course is inadequate training when Rela’s powers and responsibilities are similar to those of professional law enforcement entities.
The wearing of uniforms is a case in point. The DG stated the similarities between the police and Rela in the conduct of operations, particularly those which are covert/ plainclothes. He did this to justify the absence of uniforms worn by Rela personnel during raids. However, as they are not professional law enforcement officers, it becomes absolutely necessary to wear the Rela uniform at all times. It does not make sense, as stated by the DG, that wearing the uniform is a “dead giveaway” for a bogus Rela member as in the case of the Batu Maung robbery which involved 10 uniformed individuals. The uniform represents accountability, recognition, transparency and respect. If abuses of power and corruption can occur amongst the police force (uniformed and plainclothes), you can be sure that Rela will not be exempted from this human weakness. We must know who we are dealing with at all times.
For the DG to justify the “walloping” of illegal workers and wave off allegations of violence and mistreatment by Rela members as “in response to something that happened” is irresponsible and dismissive of the actual incidents which are abuses of power by Rela officers. The latter are often armed with chotas (wooden/ bamboo sticks) while the workers are usually unarmed. Injuries of illegal workers cannot all be explained away as escape attempts. Who is in a position of power and who is vulnerable, especially with easily angered Rela members?
Anyone, whether employers or the workers themselves, has a right to challenge or question Rela members, especially if they come around without uniform, refusing to show their identity cards or kad kuasa and unaccompanied by police. If that questioning makes them angry, then I must point out that professional law enforcement involves accountability and responsibility.
The DG also stated that members did not go through background checks. How do you know if someone has a bad record without background check? Due to the new powers given to Rela under the amended 1972 legislation, it should now be necessary to screen people before they are allowed to wear the uniform (or not wear it as the case maybe). With powers akin to the police such as entry without a warrant, powers of arrest, conducting covert or plainclothes operations, there is no excuse not to have background checks on prospective Rela members. The possibility and probability of abuse and mistreatment are higher without a mechanism of check and balance.
Following the issue of background checks, racial profiling seems to be a practice of Rela in law enforcement. According to the DG, a Mat Salleh (Caucasian) is easily determined as a legal tourist while an Indian looking individual could not possibly be. Double standards, prejudices and racial profiling must cease to be acceptable practices.
Human rights abuses are not about Rela officers being naughty. In fact, euphemism of an act signifies the lack of seriousness in which the action is regarded. There have been reported and documented police cases almost every month for 2007 whereupon victims have reported transgressions which range from molestation, abuses of power and corruption to blatant robbery. A 10 day basic training course for Rela members is not good enough and must include human rights and law enforcement basics. Just learning from actual operations is not good enough.
The DG stated that we must choose between security and human rights, and insinuated that we can’t have both. We are not at war and neither is Malaysia a country experiencing internal violence. We do not need to choose between security and human rights. The Malaysian people are assured and feel safef with a security mechanism which is both accountable and respects human rights.
It was a mistake to give Rela arbitrary powers to detain illegal immigrants, leaving open the possibility to widespread abuse by members taking advantage of a vulnerable population (demanding bribes, stealing handphones, rice cookers, TV sets, money). The amendment must be rescinded as it has no mechanism of accountability, disciplinary action and does not accommodate professional training catering to the new set of responsibilities.
Rela cannot and should not be entrusted with more power. Its existing responsibilities have been abused by a growing number of individuals who have suddenly realized how they may profit from it. As long as Rela views itself as not needing to be accountable to anybody, it does not deserve to be treated like a law enforcement body as it does not subject its personnel to disciplinary action in the event of complaints. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), through its commissioner N. Siva Subramaniam, had in fact noted in May 2007 that many of the Rela officers had not heard of human rights and thought themselves of being above the law.
I believe that the amendments in March 2005 to the 1972 Essential (Ikatan Relawan Rakyat) Regulations making it possible for Rela to detain illegal immigrants were a mistake. It was a response to past and current populist, alarmist and xenophobic beliefs that illegal immigrants are flooding the country and taking away local jobs. Yes, the whole world knows about Rela but for the wrong reasons: abuse of human rights, arbitrary arrests, robbery and mistreatment of detainees. It’s time for this to stop.
My read from these articles is that Datuk Zaidon is overly influenced by his past employment as the Pahang Immigration Department director which has severely coloured his judgement and interpretation of the mandate entrusted to Rela (People’s Voluntary Corp). It appears that the DG has treated the amendment to the 1972 Regulations as a blank check for Rela as far as illegal immigrants are concerned.
Rela is neither a professional law enforcement organisation nor is it the Immigration Department or the Police Force. However, this almost half a million strong volunteer force has now received and utilised powers which are, in many instances, equal to and beyond those given to our normal law enforcement bodies. The rationale that it is cost effective to utilise a large volunteer force to conduct the business of law enforcement is not good enough to justify the empowering of this organisation without the necessary checks and balances. It places good and useful citizens in the unfair and impossible position of enforcing the law without knowing the law. A 10 day course is inadequate training when Rela’s powers and responsibilities are similar to those of professional law enforcement entities.
The wearing of uniforms is a case in point. The DG stated the similarities between the police and Rela in the conduct of operations, particularly those which are covert/ plainclothes. He did this to justify the absence of uniforms worn by Rela personnel during raids. However, as they are not professional law enforcement officers, it becomes absolutely necessary to wear the Rela uniform at all times. It does not make sense, as stated by the DG, that wearing the uniform is a “dead giveaway” for a bogus Rela member as in the case of the Batu Maung robbery which involved 10 uniformed individuals. The uniform represents accountability, recognition, transparency and respect. If abuses of power and corruption can occur amongst the police force (uniformed and plainclothes), you can be sure that Rela will not be exempted from this human weakness. We must know who we are dealing with at all times.
For the DG to justify the “walloping” of illegal workers and wave off allegations of violence and mistreatment by Rela members as “in response to something that happened” is irresponsible and dismissive of the actual incidents which are abuses of power by Rela officers. The latter are often armed with chotas (wooden/ bamboo sticks) while the workers are usually unarmed. Injuries of illegal workers cannot all be explained away as escape attempts. Who is in a position of power and who is vulnerable, especially with easily angered Rela members?
Anyone, whether employers or the workers themselves, has a right to challenge or question Rela members, especially if they come around without uniform, refusing to show their identity cards or kad kuasa and unaccompanied by police. If that questioning makes them angry, then I must point out that professional law enforcement involves accountability and responsibility.
The DG also stated that members did not go through background checks. How do you know if someone has a bad record without background check? Due to the new powers given to Rela under the amended 1972 legislation, it should now be necessary to screen people before they are allowed to wear the uniform (or not wear it as the case maybe). With powers akin to the police such as entry without a warrant, powers of arrest, conducting covert or plainclothes operations, there is no excuse not to have background checks on prospective Rela members. The possibility and probability of abuse and mistreatment are higher without a mechanism of check and balance.
Following the issue of background checks, racial profiling seems to be a practice of Rela in law enforcement. According to the DG, a Mat Salleh (Caucasian) is easily determined as a legal tourist while an Indian looking individual could not possibly be. Double standards, prejudices and racial profiling must cease to be acceptable practices.
Human rights abuses are not about Rela officers being naughty. In fact, euphemism of an act signifies the lack of seriousness in which the action is regarded. There have been reported and documented police cases almost every month for 2007 whereupon victims have reported transgressions which range from molestation, abuses of power and corruption to blatant robbery. A 10 day basic training course for Rela members is not good enough and must include human rights and law enforcement basics. Just learning from actual operations is not good enough.
The DG stated that we must choose between security and human rights, and insinuated that we can’t have both. We are not at war and neither is Malaysia a country experiencing internal violence. We do not need to choose between security and human rights. The Malaysian people are assured and feel safef with a security mechanism which is both accountable and respects human rights.
It was a mistake to give Rela arbitrary powers to detain illegal immigrants, leaving open the possibility to widespread abuse by members taking advantage of a vulnerable population (demanding bribes, stealing handphones, rice cookers, TV sets, money). The amendment must be rescinded as it has no mechanism of accountability, disciplinary action and does not accommodate professional training catering to the new set of responsibilities.
Rela cannot and should not be entrusted with more power. Its existing responsibilities have been abused by a growing number of individuals who have suddenly realized how they may profit from it. As long as Rela views itself as not needing to be accountable to anybody, it does not deserve to be treated like a law enforcement body as it does not subject its personnel to disciplinary action in the event of complaints. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), through its commissioner N. Siva Subramaniam, had in fact noted in May 2007 that many of the Rela officers had not heard of human rights and thought themselves of being above the law.
I believe that the amendments in March 2005 to the 1972 Essential (Ikatan Relawan Rakyat) Regulations making it possible for Rela to detain illegal immigrants were a mistake. It was a response to past and current populist, alarmist and xenophobic beliefs that illegal immigrants are flooding the country and taking away local jobs. Yes, the whole world knows about Rela but for the wrong reasons: abuse of human rights, arbitrary arrests, robbery and mistreatment of detainees. It’s time for this to stop.
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