Rela allowance review needed amid rising workload, living costs

KUALA LUMPUR: The current RM8 per hour allowance rate for Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela) members should be reviewed as it is no longer appropriate for their workload and the rising cost of living.

Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the current rate was relatively low, as members received only RM96 even if their services were required for the maximum 12 hours a day.

He noted that Rela was not a permanent job and its members were not called up every day.

"This makes it difficult for them to earn income reaching thousands of ringgit.

"Therefore, a full review to increase the Rela allowance should be given complete support so they are paid fairly according to current conditions.

"Even when calculated in full, the RM8 hourly rate still falls below the current minimum wage level.

"Hence, a review of this allowance rate is indeed necessary," he said.

Previously, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was reported as saying that the RM8 hourly allowance received by Rela members needed to be reviewed to a reasonable range as it was currently below the minimum wage level.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1532457/updated-relas-rm8-hourly-allowance-needs-review-says-saifuddin

Using a simple calculation, the minister cited an example where a Rela member working eight hours a day for 24 days received less than the set minimum wage of RM1,700.

Meanwhile, Lee, who is also a social activist, said a more reasonable allowance rate would not only show appreciation for Rela members' services but also signify government recognition of their contributions.

He said Rela's duties were growing larger and more challenging, including security control, assisting in large-scale events, conducting joint operations with government agencies, and managing various community tasks.

"Such long duties requiring commitment deserve appropriate compensation, especially since most members sacrifice their time and energy outside their primary working hours to perform voluntary work.

"An allowance increase directly serves as a form of recognition from the government for their contributions," he said.

Lee added that an increased allowance could also attract more people to join Rela while boosting the volunteer spirit among existing members.

"Increasing the Rela allowance is not just about raising payment, but about valuing the time, energy, and sacrifices of members who help maintain security and carry out community duties," he said.