BUKIT JALIL: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is still waiting for Human Rights Watch (HRW) to meet him regarding a report concerning torture and deaths in immigration detention centres in the country.
Despite extending invitations to the global human rights group, he said he had yet to meet its representatives.
He said the government had spent RM123 million last year to cover the basic needs and utilities of the detainees at all 20 immigration depots across the country.
This includes the costs of repatriating migrants to their home countries.
"This demonstrates our concern for their welfare. We are also upgrading the immigration depots.
"The government allocated RM53.1 million for the Lenggeng depot, which is scheduled to be completed by June 9, RM98 million for the Pekan Nenas depot, RM8.1 million for the Bekenu depot, and RM12.5 million for the Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Papar, and Tawau depots respectively.
"We have invested millions in upgrading the depots, which demonstrates our commitment to treating those who enter our country and violate our laws with humanity.
"This is why I am against any groups that come out with reports that are unfair to the Malaysian government," he said at a press conference after distributing Hari Raya clothes to children at the Bukit Jalil Immigration depot, here, today.
Among the upgrading works include installing anti-climb safety walls, CCTV, and safety alarms around the depot's perimeters for security purposes.
He criticised HRW's "unbalanced" report, which he described as unfair to the Malaysian government, especially the Immigration Department.
"Now that we are under the Madani government, there should be compassion in the way we treat the detainees because they are human beings.
"This is important because otherwise, HRW will accuse us of torturing the detainees.
"I have invited them for a meeting, but I have yet to meet them. I'm still waiting," he said.
He suggested that HRW should instead collaborate with the government to address issues faced by detainees who have been living for years in immigration depots, as their home countries did not acknowledge them as citizens.
This includes individuals from the Philippines and the United States whose embassies did not recognise them as citizens after due diligence by enforcement agencies.
"In this issue, HRW should help us find solutions. We are still giving time to the embassies to perform their due diligence.
"We are ready to cooperate because some detainees have been here for a long time. Some have been here for three, eight, and even nine years, and they are being supported by our taxpayers' money.
"If HRW is serious about protecting human rights, they should focus on protecting the rights of these individuals who have been detained for years. They should assist them so we can manage their situation better," he said.
Last month, Saifuddin refuted HRW's report in parliament, describing it as highly irresponsible.
He said the country strictly adheres to the law, guided by compassion and humanity.