PUTRAJAYA, Aug 22 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that his ministry will transfer 80 children first from detention in the Immigration Department depots.

He said some aspects need to be fully prepared first before transferring the children out.

"This will be the first batch. This will be the beginning of our ongoing efforts to remove children from Immigration depots so that they can be given more humane care, a more conducive environment, better care than where they are currently placed.

"Our hope is that this will be the beginning and will be able to carry out the bringing out that we defined under 18 years old, who are currently in the depot,” he told reporters here.

He said the logistical issues to be prepared included preparing the buildings for their accommodations, along with the required facilities and utilities.

In February, Saifuddin Nasution said his ministry would shift the detained children and place them under the care of non-governmental organisations that specialise in children's welfare.

Saifuddin Nasution had then said he already identified the profile of the children, their numbers and where they were detained.