KDN changed the way RELA members use firearms

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) will change the method of using firearms for members of the Malaysian Volunteer Department (RELA).

Berita Harian reported that its minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said that the move was made to avoid the misuse of weapons, especially after their duty hours.

He said, through the system, members are only allowed to take the weapon when starting the assignment.

“As a result of that case, we modified our system (that is) weapons are kept in the weapons store.

“When a member wants to work, we only allow him to take it to avoid such a situation,” he said when met by reporters after the Joint Meeting of the KDN Al-Quran Printing Licensing and Control Board.

Previously, RELA members were not allowed to use firearms for any purpose, including activities to exterminate plant enemies.

The ban is subject to the Malaysian Volunteer Force Act 2012 (Act 752).

Last Tuesday, a man was sentenced to 30 years in prison at the Kuala Terengganu High Court for shooting dead a friend who was also the former Marang MCA Division Chief and attempting to kill the victim’s nephew.

The decision was made by Judge Datuk Hassan Abdul Ghani after the accused, Ong Chow Lee, 60, pleaded guilty to the two charges.