KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The Immigration Department said it would launch an investigation on allegations in a news report claiming that at least two dozen refugees and asylum seekers have died in detention centres here since 2015.
UK daily The Guardian also reported Tuesday that inmates at immigration detention centres in Malaysia were deprived of food, water and medical care, with some refugees alleging physical abuse.
“A thorough investigation without compromise will be conducted on allegations of abuse by officers against detainees.
“If investigations prove that the officer had violated rules for civil servants, this Department will not hesitate to take disciplinary action based on the Public Officers Regulations (Conduct and Discipline) (Amendment) 2002,” the Immigration Department said in a statement yesterday.
The department also said the supply of food and drinks at detention depots was managed with tight conditions by contractors appointed by the Home Ministry.
“Detainees at detention depots will be given food and drink at scheduled times four times a day. Besides that, detainees can refer to the officer on duty if they need more food or drink or at times other than the allotted meal times,” said the Immigration Department.
The department added that most detainee deaths at immigration detention centres were caused by critical illnesses or infectious diseases that detainees suffered before entering the depots.
The Guardian reported that all but two of the 24 “people of concern” that the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) had confirmed dead were Myanmar nationals.
