Eastern Region News July 13, 2012 20:56 PM RELA Can Be Deployed To Beef Up Security Of Crime Hot Spots - Najib KUALA TERENGGANU, July 13 (Bernama) -- The People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) should be given a new responsibility to beef up the security of crime hot spots to reduce public fear for their safety, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The prime minister said the three million strong RELA could be mobilised to safeguard public safety in crime target areas such as shopping complexes and public places. "RELA is many times bigger that the police which have about 200,000 members and if they are deployed in high-crime risk areas, definitely it could help make the people feel the country is safe," he when addressing a gathering of RELA members from Terengganu at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium here Friday. He said although the crime index had reportedly dropped, it was disputed by certain quarters. "When we say the crime rate has declined, the people questioned it as they read about crime cases widely reported in the internet," he added. "We cannot vet the internet and become backward in our policy, we don't have any choice but to make changes by tweaking the way to tackle new challenges so that there is no gap between reality and perception. "If we say that the crime rate is declining, we want the people to feel it is really true and is a reality," he said. The prime minister said as RELA was from the people for the people, it could become the fortress of national security. He said Malaysia was actually a safe country, if not for extensive crime reports posted on the social media and the internet, which had caused the people to worry about their safety. "In the past, when a crime is committed, not many people know about it, but today such incident goes viral on the internet," he said. Najib said the responsibility of the police and government in maintaining national security would be enhanced with the support of a force made up of the people. "Three million RELA member reflects the contribution of the people towards peace and security of the country," he added. -- BERNAMA