PUTRAJAYA, Jan 24 — Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Shafie Apdal’s comments that Rela personnel are not suited to be stationed at the Eastern Sabah Security and Command area (ESSZone) posts is an insult to their contributions.
“For him to say that is irresponsible and is untrue in the first place.
“I stress that the Rela personnel based in the ESSZone are not at risk, since they are not front-liners and don’t participate in tactical operations,” he said during a Rela event at the Home Ministry this afternoon.
Nur Jazlan said their primary role will be to maintain peace and security and ensure the front- lines are not disturbed.
“They will be given sufficient training relevant to their tasks at hand. Additionally they will conduct their enforcement operations in tandem with the police,” he said.
Nur Jazlan said the Parti Warisan Sabah president will never have the support of all three million Rela personnel in the country who were offended by his statement.
“He has proved to be a leader who does not care about the people. His comments shows that he is not sympathetic with the sacrifices and hard work put in by Rela members who do so voluntarily,” he said.
Shafie has been facing increasing public backlash when a video of his speech two weeks ago on the Federal government’s move to deploy Rela members in the ESSzone as a move to strengthen security in Sabah east coast went viral.
In his speech, he said Rela members were neither equipped nor trained to serve at the front.
Shafie was called in by the police on Monday to give a statement after several reports was lodged against him.
He has refused to apologise, as he claimed he did not insult them.
