[UPDATED] Rela denies using personal data for automatic member registration

KUALA LUMPUR – The People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) has denied allegations that it used individuals’ personal data to automatically register them as members without their consent.

Rela in a statement today said automatic registration is against Section 6(1) of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010.

“Rela is aware of the public’s concerns and will... conduct an internal investigation to identify membership registration procedures implemented before Act 752 (Malaysia Volunteers Corp Act) came into force.

“We will not compromise if any party or individual is found to have knowingly used a person’s personal data for a specific purpose without their consent.”

Earlier, several people had on social media claimed that their personal details have been used to automatically register them as Rela volunteers and their details are in the Rela database.

Those who have been registered as members but wish to terminate their membership should call 03-8870-3770 or email to [email protected].

Rela also said it is in the midst of a “whitening programme” to terminate members who have been inactive for a period of five years.

However, the programme carried out under Section 9 of the act has been temporarily suspended as the department is focusing on the fight against Covid-19.

Those who are interested in extending their membership can do so by notifying the Rela director-general in writing.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the ministry has ordered Rela to investigate the data misuse claims, giving it several days to get to the bottom of the matter.

“The ministry will wait for a report to be submitted in a few days,” he told reporters following an immigration operation in Seberang Jaya, Penang. – Bernama, June 15, 2021