Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department
The People's Volunteer Corps (Malay: Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia), abbreviated RELA, officially the Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department, is a paramilitary civil volunteer corps formed by the Malaysian government. Their roles include: helping to spread awareness of government policies to the public; assisting other government agencies in carrying out duties; conducting local social and socio-economic activities; and developing human capital through trainings that are appropriate.
| Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department | |
|---|---|
| Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Allegiance | Malaysia |
| Branch | Ministry of Home Affairs (Malaysia) |
| Type | Paramilitary Militia |
| Role | Military reserve Auxiliary police Security police Border control |
| Size | 3,064,456 |
| Motto(s) | To serve faithfully |
| March | Gema RELA |
| Engagements | Malaysian Emergency as the Home Guard |
| Commanders | |
| Minister of Home Affairs (Malaysia) | Saifuddin Nasution |
| Director-General | Yahya bin Sulaiman |
RELA has the authority to raid suspected streets or places, such as factories, restaurants or hotels, and may interrogate or detain people who do not have travel documents, such as passports or work permits, on their person. They are also in charge of security, are absorbed into the Malaysian Army as support groups during times of war, and are tasked with search and rescue work if needed.
On 17 March 2020, the Malaysian Government announced that RELA would assist the Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Armed Forces to enforce the Movement Control Order until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.