KUALA LUMPUR: Immigration Department (JIM) wows zero tolerance for officers accused of abusing Rohingya detainees at detention centres.
In a statement tonight, newly-appointed director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban reiterated the Immigration Department's commitment to uphold the rights of detainees, following a report by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC). The report found evidence of violence and abuse by certain officers against detainees held at the Bidor Immigration Depot (DISB).
"JIM takes note of and takes seriously the findings from the EAIC investigation, which revealed elements of violence, as well as physical and mental abuse of detainees by some officers from 2020 to 2021," said Zakaria.
He emphasised that the department operates 25 immigration depots, including five 'Baitul Mahabbah' and two temporary depots, all in accordance with international standards set by the United Nations.
"The department ensures all depots comply with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) healthcare regulations in detention, the Immigration (Administration and Management of Immigration Depot) Regulations 2003, and the Standing Orders of the Immigration chief director regarding the administration and management of immigration depots."
Zakaria assured that the department would not tolerate any abuse of power by any officer.
"We are currently awaiting a full report from the EAIC regarding the findings of the investigation before taking any further action," he said.
"If any elements of violence or abuse are found, we will take stringent action against those officers in accordance with the law," he added.
The EAIC's findings, issued following an investigation into the escape of several detainees on Feb 1, 2024, revealed instances of both physical and mental abuse by some Immigration officers between 2020 and 2021.
The Rohingya, an ethnic minority from Myanmar, have faced long-standing persecution and discrimination, which has led many to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Malaysia.
However, while in detention, they have allegedly been subjected to abuse and neglect by a few immigration officers.