“I urge Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein to explain why the Home Ministry has increased Rela members by 477 percent between 2008 and 2010, when Malaysia is not under the threat of war or natural disaster.
“Hishamuddin must justify the increase in the cost of emolument and personal accident insurance premium that the government now has to bear,” the MP (right) said in a statement today.
In his written reply to Kok’s question in Parliament, Hishamuddin had revealed that as of Dec 31, 2010, there were 2,593,263 registered Rela members throughout the country.
“Of this number, 19 percent are located in the state of Selangor,” notes Kok.
The increase represented a “walloping two million or 477 percent from 543,375 in 2008,” said Kok.
“This two million increase is most alarming and highly suspicious, because it occurs after the 12th general election in 2008, when Pakatan Rakyat won 51 percent of the popular vote and gave Barisan Nasional the biggest thrashing it has ever had.
“Had a mere 300,000 more voters cast their ballot in favour of Pakatan Rakyat, BN would be the opposition party today,” she said.
EC must come clean
Kok charged that the sudden boost is “politically motivated” to “expand political support for the BN in the upcoming general election”.
This, she said, has been further aggravated by rumours that the Elections Commission (EC) may grant Rela members postal voting rights.
The Armed Forces’ postal votes have been traditionally considered a BN ‘fixed deposit’, and a sore point for those demanding fair elections.
While the EC had last year stated that Rela members were not qualified to vote as postal voters, Kok today charged that speculation was rife that this situation this may change.
“There are rumours that the Election Commission may grant Rela members the right to vote as postal voters by amending the Elections Act 1958 and the Elections (Postal Voting) Regulations 2003.
“The EC can do this by either amending subsection 3(1)(c) – removing the restriction on ‘Police Volunteer Reserve Force’ – or expanding subsection 3(1)(f) of the Elections (Postal Voting) Registrations to include Rela members,” said Kok.
She demanded a clarification from the EC to put a stop to the widespready belief.
“We have not heard any public response from the EC on this matter so far and it is time the EC made its stand clear,” Kok added.
Good Morning YB Teresa kok,
In the case of increase 477% of rela is really a trick.
Before i don’t know rela is belong to BN, i been think to be one of the member of rela cause i want to serve the citizen as what we saw now a day have alot of disaster happen in the world. .
If i didn’t mistaken is on 27 march 2011 in the IOI puchong the have a event. My brother is was at there i ask him a question why You(My Bro) suddenly become a rela member?
He say that normally when become a member of rela they need to pay for the uniform is cost about RM300++. Now they no need to pay anything is FREE no need to fill up any form just a photo copy of IC and 2 pcs of passport photo that is .
All things is giving FREE. . Just they(BN) request that They(rela) need to vote them on the election. Since u(vote) them(BN) u will get everythings.
Madam Teresa I’m here to ask i very keen to be one of the volunteer but i really don’t know which i should join and how i should join. Any volunteer task force can recommend for me to join?
Best Regards
Ivan