800 Orang Ulu become Rela members in Baram

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800 Orang Ulu become Rela members in Baram

Posted on January 25, 2010, Monday

MIRI: About 800 Orang Ulu in the hinterland of upper Baram region including the Kelabit highland are registered as members of the People’s Vigilante Corp (Rela) members.

This was revealed by Rela Captain Jeffery Pasang Saging, the first Kelabit to hold the position.

Jeffery has conducted an intensive cooperation and recruitment in the upper Baram region.

“It is in response to the call by the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) to reduce crime and fight corruption,” Jeffery told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He was appointed by State Rela director ACP Jamal in 2006 to take care of Rela members in the upper Baram and Kelabit highlands and he set up Rela in the upper Baram in 2003.

Twelve platoons were set up in Bario from 2003 to 2007 followed by six platoons in Long Banga (2007), three in Long Lellang (2006), four in Sungai Kelapang areas (2006) and four in Long Seridan (2009).

Jeffery said his task was to reorganise and recruit Rela members in the highlands.

He set up Rela in cooperation with the Ketua Masyarakat, Ketua Kaum and Penghulus whom he installed as ‘Pegawai Kehormat’ or advisers in their respective areas.

The Orang Ulu community, he said, were noted for their strong discipline and they can play a key role in crime-fighting and flushing out illegal immigrants.

Rela draws its members from all walks of life, race, culture and religion and has an exemplary track record, which must continue in modern times including help police and Immigration Department in law enforcement.

He hoped Rela would be involved in crime-fighting in collaboration with the police as the leading enforcement agency inline with their role as the ears and eyes of the government.

He is presently busy doing a recruitment drive in the Kelabit highlands and other areas in the upper Baram.