Kuala Lumpur, October 17 — The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has pledged to take firm action against any of its officers found guilty of abusing power or engaging in violence following revelations of misconduct at the Bidor Temporary Immigration Depot in Perak. The commitment comes in response to a report from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) that detailed cases of violence and abuse of detainees at the depot, which has sparked public concern.
JIM Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban emphasized that the department adheres strictly to international standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (known as the Nelson Mandela Rules) and guidelines from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on healthcare in detention. These frameworks aim to ensure humane treatment of individuals in detention facilities worldwide.
“The Immigration Department will not compromise on any form of abuse of power and violence by its officers,” Zakaria stated in a press release on October 16. He reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability, particularly when handling reports of misconduct.
International Standards and National Regulations in Focus
Zakaria highlighted that the department’s management of detention centers is governed by a series of regulations aimed at maintaining humane conditions for detainees. These include the Immigration Regulations (Administrative and Management of Immigration Depots) 2003, as well as Standing Instructions of the Director-General of Immigration on the Administration and Management of Immigration Depots.
“Referring to a media statement by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) regarding the incident of ethnic Rohingya detainees escaping from the Bidor Temporary Immigration Depot (DISB) in Perak on February 1 this year, JIM takes note and views seriously the findings of the investigation,” Zakaria said.
He also emphasized that any officers found to have engaged in misconduct or physical abuse will face the full force of the law. “If there are elements of misconduct and physical abuse, JIM will take firm action against such officers based on the provisions of the law,” he added.
EAIC Investigation Reveals Long-Standing Abuse
The EAIC’s investigation uncovered disturbing details about the treatment of detainees at several immigration depots, including Bidor. The report found that violence and abuse had been occurring since 2020 at Kem Wawasan Langkawi, a previous holding facility for detainees, and continued even after the detainees were transferred to other depots, including Bidor.
According to the EAIC report, several Immigration personnel, including two officers who had been transferred from Langkawi to Bidor, were involved in incidents of excessive violence. These acts caused both physical and mental harm to detainees, with some incidents of abuse reportedly severe.
The commission recommended disciplinary action against the officers involved in the violence, urging the Immigration Department to take swift and decisive steps. The investigation was conducted under subsection 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009 (Act 700), which mandates the commission to investigate complaints of misconduct within enforcement agencies.
Calls for Accountability and Structural Reform
In addition to identifying instances of violence, the EAIC’s report shed light on broader structural issues at the Bidor depot. The depot was originally a National Training Service Camp and lacked the necessary infrastructure to meet the standards required for an immigration detention facility. This inadequate infrastructure may have contributed to the problems at the site, according to the EAIC.
The commission’s findings have raised questions about the conditions in which detainees are held and the ability of the temporary depot to meet the operational standards for a detention facility. The report has fueled calls for reform within the Immigration Department, including improving the facilities and addressing the weaknesses that allowed such abuses to occur.
The Rohingya Detainee Escape Incident
The EAIC report comes on the heels of an incident in February 2024, when a group of Rohingya detainees escaped from the Bidor depot. The escape drew significant media attention and put a spotlight on the conditions at the depot. In the wake of the escape, the EAIC launched an investigation into the conditions at the facility, which led to the current findings of violence and abuse.
The investigation uncovered that detainees at Bidor and other depots had been subjected to mistreatment, often at the hands of personnel who had been transferred between facilities. The report revealed that some of the same officers involved in violent incidents at the Langkawi depot continued their abusive practices after being relocated to Bidor.
Next Steps for the Immigration Department
Following the release of the EAIC’s report, the Malaysian Immigration Department is under increasing pressure to act swiftly. The department must now not only hold the offending officers accountable but also implement reforms that prevent such incidents from recurring.
Director-General Zakaria’s pledge of zero tolerance for abuse signals that the department is prepared to take action, but the true test will be in how effectively it addresses both the personnel and systemic issues raised by the EAIC.
“The department remains committed to ensuring that our immigration depots are managed in accordance with international standards and that all detainees are treated humanely and fairly,” Zakaria said. “We will work to improve our facilities, address any shortcomings, and ensure that officers who violate these standards are held accountable.”
Public Reaction and Calls for Transparency
Public reactions to the EAIC’s findings have been strong, with many calling for greater transparency and oversight of immigration detention centers in Malaysia. Human rights organizations and advocates for migrant rights have been particularly vocal, calling on the government to ensure that the rights and dignity of detainees are protected.
Several organizations have demanded more frequent inspections of detention centers and urged the government to allow independent monitors to assess the conditions of these facilities. They have also called for the swift prosecution of any officers found guilty of abusing detainees.
Conclusion
The revelations of abuse and violence at the Bidor Temporary Immigration Depot have sparked widespread concern, shining a light on the conditions within Malaysia’s immigration detention system. With the findings of the EAIC report now public, the Malaysian Immigration Department faces the challenge of restoring public trust while ensuring that such abuses are not repeated.
As the department moves forward, it will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to reform, transparency, and the humane treatment of detainees. The actions taken in response to the EAIC’s recommendations will serve as a critical indicator of the department’s willingness to uphold the standards it claims to follow.
In the wake of these serious allegations, the public, human rights advocates, and the international community will be closely watching the steps taken by JIM to ensure accountability and reform.
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