People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) director-general Zaidon Asmuni has been accused by the Indonesian Embassy of covering up the misconduct of its personnel during a raid on an Indonesian student's home.

"Zaidon's statement (to the press) showed there are efforts by Rela to cover up the actions of its members who went overboard when performing their duties," the embassy said in a statement today.

The embassy maintained that university student Mohammad Yunus Labis' accusation against Rela for wrongdoing during a Monday raid were true events.

Yesterday, Zaidon brought several journalists to Muhammad Yunus' home in Kajang to prove that Rela personnel did not break into the unit.

According to Star today, Zaidon said the raid, which took place between 4am to 5am, was conducted following complaints that an unmarried couple was living together in that unit.

He also said that his officers had not forcefully gained entry into the unit as the door was unlocked and that the officers left after Muhammad Yunus produced a marriage certificate and student passes.

Zaidon also chided Muhammad Yunus for defaming Rela because Rela officers had apologised profusely for the blunder before leaving.

Rela boot prints on door

On the contrary, the Indonesian Embassy claimed that there were boot prints left on the Muhammad Yunus' door by Rela officers.

"This proves beyond doubt that Rela had rudely tried to enter Muhammad Yunus' home. Subsequently, the door handle was damaged," said the statement.

Following this, five Rela officers had entered the unit to search for illegals, according to Muhammad Yunus' police report.

In the police report, Muhamamd Yunus said he had refused to open the door over fears that there were aggressive armed robbers at his doorstep.

He also claimed that the Rela officers refused to compensate for the damage because the former had failed to open the door in time.

The Indonesian Embassy maintained that Muhammad Yunus' testimony was accurate as he had reported the matter to the police.

However, the statement said that the Indonesian Embassy was willing to cooperate with relevant authorities to explain the matter.

Dawn raid

Contacted yesterday, Zaidon said the visit to Muhammad Yunus' home showed no damages to the door and the question of compensation does not arise.

Asked if it was part of Rela's duties to check on cases of unmarried couples living together, Zaidon said that the raid was based on complaints from neighbours.

"In our culture, this is not good. (Unmarried) male and female cannot stay in one house," he said.

On a related matter, Zaidon told Malaysiakini that the row over Rela's detention of an Indonesian diplomat's wife was a "good lesson" for the enforcement body.

He said Rela would be seeking more information about diplomatic cards issued by Wisma Putra in order for Rela personnel to identify them in the future.

On Monday, the Indonesian Embassy issued a statement claiming that the diplomat's wife, despite carrying a diplomatic card issued by Wisma Putra, was detained by Rela personnel while shopping at Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur.

The woman was released after her relative managed to produce her passport.