Since yesterday (Monday, 14th June), the internet community has been buzzing non-stop over the issue surrounding the registration of members of The People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA).
For those wondering, the issue began making rounds after several individuals took to social media, claiming that they were signed up as members without their knowledge.
Dekat facebook tengah kecoh ramai didaftarkan TANPA IZIN sebagai anggota RELA.
Kebanyakan didaftarkan pada tahun 2010-2016.
Sebab apa ya? 🧐
Check sini: https://t.co/lG8ngYlmTJ https://t.co/0xYtLVNPm3 pic.twitter.com/n3LAKeLThS
— Faqimi Fauzi ⛓️💥 (@faqimifauzi) June 14, 2021
The technical issue has in turn intrigued the public to flock the department’s official portal to find out more about the status of their RELA membership “registration”. As seen in some of the screenshots by netizens, there were a few who have been registered as members since 2011! Even Steven Sim was among those who were shocked in discovering that he was a registered RELA volunteer.
The Bukit Mertajam MP wrote on his Twitter, “Apparently I have been a member of RELA since 2011 without realising it. They even have my membership number and platoon code. How can this happen? Is the registration automatic for all Malaysians? Because it says here my wife is also a member, as stated in the website.”
Rupa-rupanya saya dah jadi ahli RELA sejak 2011 tanpa disedari.
Siap ada no ahli dan kod platun.
Macam mana ini?
Adakah pendaftaran automatik untuk semua rakyat Malaysia? Sebab isteri saya pun ahli RELA kalau menurut laman semakan ahli RELA ini. https://t.co/ti9XrMc88o pic.twitter.com/yw1mAHUCcJ
— Steven Sim 🇲🇾 (@scheekeong) June 14, 2021
Kalau kalian masih single, check je website RELA tu. If somehow kalian dah jadi ahli tanpa persetujuan, at least sekarang kalian dah in a RELAtionship
— Faizal Rosly (@ijaicool) June 14, 2021
Tanpa rela tetiba kena jadi RELA , wtf la gomen Malaysia ni, dulu pengundi hantu, sekarang ahli RELA hantu pulak. Pagi ni nak cek lg sekali website dh melingkup pic.twitter.com/IjsIsKX0kL
— kuruih_keding (@kuruih_keding) June 15, 2021
Why are they auto-registering people for RELA but not helping people to register for the vaccine?
What fuckery is this?
— Mark 🇲🇾🇩🇪 (@MG92__2) June 14, 2021
Following that, RELA Malaysia Facebook page has since been flooded with netizens questioning about the recent issue. Some of them also took to the replies space to criticise the department regarding several issues including allowances, uniforms, apart from the data intrusion that occurred. Others have also urged the MACC to investigate the case.
In response, RELA came forth to deny the accusation of using other individuals’ personal data to be registered as members automatically without their consent. In addition, they also pointed out that the department is ready to implement a “cleansing” program, where those who have been inactive for five years will be terminated from membership.
Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (RELA) menafikan dakwaan menggunakan data peribadi seseorang lain untuk didaftarkan sebagai anggota RELA secara automatik tanpa mendapat kebenaran individu berkenaan.@relamalaysia pic.twitter.com/q8hWDY0kx8
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) June 15, 2021
The program, however, had to be temporarily suspended as the department is currently focusing on combatting the Covid-19 epidemic. In the meantime, those who were registered without their knowledge and want to terminate their membership may contact 03-88703770 or drop an email here.
At the time of writing (Tuesday, 15th June), the official portal of RELA Malaysia is no longer accessible for public checking, as the site is currently under maintenance.
