Their roles include: helping to spread awareness of government policies to the public; assisting other government agencies in carrying out duties; conducting local social and socio-economic activities; and developing human capital through trainings that are appropriate.

[2] RELA has limited authority to raid suspected streets or places, such as factories, restaurants or hotels, and may interrogate or detain people who do not have travel documents, such as passports or work permits, on their person.

They are also in charge of security, are absorbed into the Malaysian Army as minor support groups during times of war, and are tasked with search and rescue work if really needed.

[5] Personnel Weapons •T-baton Equipment •Walkie-talkie model Motorola,Kenwood Corporation and Baofeng UV-5R The Human Rights Watch has called for People's Volunteer Corps to be dissolved, accusing it of violating human rights, conducting illegal raids and extortions.

The government has recently announced its intention to curb abuses and is currently looking into ways of improving RELA by providing training to its members.