The People's Volunteer Corps, abbreviated RELA, is a paramilitary civil volunteer corps formed by the Malaysian government. Their main duty is to check the traveling documents and immigration permits of foreigners in Malaysian cities, including tourists, visitors and migrants to reduce the increasing rate of illegal immigrants in Malaysia. RELA has the authority to deal with situations like policemen, such as raiding suspected streets or places such as factories, restaurants and even hotels. They are also fully authorised to conduct the interrogation and even detaining people who forgot to bring their traveling documents, like passports and/or working permits. Besides that they are also tasked with security works at times. During times of war, they are absorbed into the Malaysian Army as support groups despite their law enforcing duties. They are also tasked to do SAR works if needed. On 17 March 2020, Malaysian Government has announced the RELA Corps will assist the Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Armed Forces to enforce the Movement Control Order until the end of COVID-19 pandemic.
History
The People's Volunteer Corps is closely related to the Home Guard that established in order to safe guard the local from communists when emergency declared in 1948 and was dissolved after emergency ended on 31 July 1960. Its purpose was to guard against communists. It now serves as a strike force against illegal immigrants. It is 2.8 million strong and is composed of mostly untrained volunteers. In 2008 Rela was given charge of immigration detention centres.
Mission and Objective
Vision
To prepare, train, and maintain a volunteer force as the Nation's line of defence and to guard the welfare of the citizens of Malaysia.
Mission
To deploy and mobilise the volunteer force to reduce Illegal Immigrantion and to assist other enforcement agencies to maintain peace and security throughout Malaysia.
Objective
Help preserve national security, peace and welfare of the Malaysian citizens and to reduce Illegal Immigrantion
Roles and Priorities
During War or Emergency
To maintain and preserve public order and security of local area before being handed over to the Armed Forces.
To lead and protect the citizens to a safer area.
War combatants and psyops
As "eyes" and "ears" of the military and the government
Help the armed forces to operate patrols, intelligence, security force, and to provide direct defence on all strategic interest in their area.
Personnel
Strength
Current strength of RELA in terms of personnel as of 13 Nov 2017
Personnel
Overall
3,064,456
Platoons
?
Male
1,825,421
Female
1,239,035
Ranks
Criticism
Human Rights Watch has called for People's Volunteer Corps to be dissolved. They have accused it of violating human rights, conducting illegal raids and extortions. According to the United Nations Human Development Report 2009, "Migrant activists say that RELA volunteers have become vigilantes, planting evidence to justify arrests of migrants and using excessive force in their policing. The government has recently announced its intention to curb abuses and is currently looking into ways of improving RELA by providing training to its members."
