The recent call by organisations urging the government to allow NGOs into detention centres is valid and very much needed. By providing this space of allowing groups to visit the centers, the government will show that it is transparent.

But at the same time, the visits would allow for the development of support systems that are very much required by detainees. From feedback obtained from the immigration detention centres, the detainees require a number of services.

These centres have large number of detainees, beyond the capacity of such camps. Many detainees need medical care and treatment; the women who are pregnant need support and care; and various other services.

But we also see that the number of detainees in the immigration detention camps can be reduced. Many of them have served their sentence in prison and now wait to be repatriated. They do not have the tickets to return home or are unable to contact their families. NGOs can facilitate in contacting their families and in safe repatriation back home.

Tenaganita has facilitated the repatriation of many workers especially to South Asia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Since we are a part of a regional network with partners in the different countries, we have the capacity for contact tracing of families and consequently uniting them. Through this action, we have been able to obtain tickets as well for the workers.

Therefore, we urge the government to positively consider the move to allow NGOs into detention centres. It would also be a form of check and balance to ensure the humane treatment of detainees at all centres.

The writer is the director of the non-governmental organisation, Tenaganita.