KUALA LUMPUR: Volunteers under the Rukun Tetangga scheme may soon be eligible for allowances.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said an allowance is being proposed for those under the Voluntary Patrol Scheme who work during the day and join neighbourhood patrols from midnight to 4am.
“As such, I propose that the government disburse an allowance to these volunteers given that they participate in the scheme voluntarily to maintain peace and security in their neighbourhoods,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to an additional question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (Pas-Rantau Panjang) on whether any incentives or allowances would be given to volunteers.
Joseph said the government takes the safety of volunteers seriously, especially those who participate in the Rukun Tetangga neighbourhood watch patrols.
Until Sept this year, a number of 5,004 voluntary patrol schemes have been established in Rukun Tetangga neighbourhood watch areas in the country. These volunteers had managed to tackle 7,490 criminal cases. - Additional reporting by TEH ATHIRA YUSOF