KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — A total of 465 deaths among detainees were recorded at immigration detention depots between 2021 and 2025.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the figure came from a cumulative total of 349,856 admissions into immigration depots during the same period, representing a mortality rate of 0.13 per cent, reported Harian Metro.

He said 393 cases, or 84.5 per cent, involved male detainees, while 60 cases involved female detainees.

For children, 12 deaths were recorded, comprising eight boys and four girls.

“The highest number of deaths involved Filipino nationals at 222 cases, followed by Indonesians (109 cases) and Myanmar nationals (61 cases),” he said.

“The remaining 73 cases (15.7 per cent) involved other nationalities from various countries in small numbers, including Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China.”

Others included nationals from Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Botswana, Venezuela, Brunei, Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Kingdom, as well as stateless individuals, he added in a written parliamentary reply published on the Parliament website.

Saifuddin Nasution was responding to Wong Chen (PH-Subang), who asked for details on the number of deaths recorded in immigration depots from 2015 to 2025, including breakdowns by depot, nationality, gender and cause of death.

He also sought information on improvement measures taken to address detainee welfare and health in line with humanitarian principles.

On causes of death, Saifuddin Nasution said they included sepsis and septic shock, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, digestive and liver diseases, as well as infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, leptospirosis and meningitis.

Meanwhile, he said the Immigration Department had improved administrative instructions and depot management, including early health screening upon entry, periodic medical checks and better-maintained medical records.

Other measures include isolating infectious disease cases or mental health emergencies, as well as direct referrals to hospitals or specialists.

Detainees are also provided hygiene kits, clothing and blankets, and are allowed to exercise outside their cells at least once a week.

He added that detainees are also allowed contact with family through phone calls, letters or visits (subject to approval by the depot commander).

Other improvements include strict food safety controls and regular sampling to ensure meals are safe, not spoiled and comply with specifications.