give more powers to rela?

i went to malaysiakini and i saw ‘rela chief: ‘give us more power’. then i went to sun2surf and i saw ‘suaram: ‘powers given to rela institutionalised vigilanteism’.
(and other related issues)

huh? you kidding, mr rela chief? more power? haven’t we heard enough of abuse of power by rela members? and i shudder to think what may happen if more power are given to them.

despite all the complaints, the rela chief, zaidon asmuni, insisted that they always acted within the law (or here at beritamalaysia).

huh? really? i have blogged a number of times already about the high-handedness of rela members and how they abused their powers. to them they are ‘ayam telur’!

how were these ‘ayam telur’ selected? believe it or not, at the interview of the chief, here’s what he said:

* What is the screening process for recruits?

Nowadays we don’t have to screen. Anyone can join and become a Rela member. If we were to conduct a screening exercise, it would take the police some time (to do so), because they have their own priorities. Those who join will receive a membership card within two weeks. It’s as simple as that.

"as simple as that". ah! precisely the problem. if you fancy being judge dredd who go around shouting "ayam telur" ("i am the law" lah!), just go and apply to be a rela member – you’ll be accpeted at once without any questions. flashing your rela card, you now have the authority to arrest or harras anyone you suspect/judge to be an illegal immigrant. neat.