Nigerians tell of alleged ill-treatment by M'sian authorities
As the drizzle clears in Desa Aman Puri, residents emerge from the apartments there as they go about their businesses, some to pick up items at the nearby grocery store while others head for the neighbourhood restaurant.
The mundane scene was in stark contrast to a raid in the area on July 4, which saw the detention of several Nigerian citizens, including PhD student Orhions Ewansiha Thomas (photo, above), who was detained despite having valid documents and died in custody five days later...
As the drizzle clears in Desa Aman Puri (above), residents emerge from the apartments there as they go about their businesses, some to pick up items at the nearby grocery store, while others head for the neighbourhood restaurant.
The mundane scene was in stark contrast to a raid in the area on July 4, which saw the detention of several Nigerian citizens, including PhD student Orhions Ewansiha Thomas, who was detained despite having valid documents and died in custody five days later.
The father of two died after suffering a seizure at the Immigration Department's Bukit Jalil detention centre.
The Immigration Department said it detained Thomas to verify his document as it was suspicious of his initial reaction to run when confronted, but critics questioned why it needed five days to do so.
Many Nigerians have taken up residence in the area, including 38-year-old Williams, who noted that there is also a significant police presence in the area.
However, Williams has never run into trouble with the police. But like Thomas, he had been detained by the Immigration Department before.
Williams spoke of the poor condition in such detention centres.
"It is not easy to be there. Everybody who came out from that place complained about their bad treatment.
"They use the stick, you know?... Punch like this, you know? Some of them get wounds everywhere.
"You cannot survive. The treatment is not good, as a human being," Williams told Malaysiakini.
Another Nigerian resident, who only wanted to be known as Oke, said he was detained by the Immigration for three days at the airport.
"For three days, they did not give me any food," he said, alleging that Nigerians were singled out.
Oke said he was not physically harmed, but saw other detainees being assaulted.
"I saw them kick somebody in the private part and the person fell down," he added.
'Police took my money'
Oke also claimed that he faced issues with police personnel from the Gombak district police headquarters, who he claimed had taken his money.
"The police took my money - RM24,000. He said my people won't go to prison.
"I send the money to the policeman’s account and he never gave back me the money until today," Oke said, showing receipts of the purported transaction.
"I went to the Gombak district police headquarters to report the police officer, but he (the person taking the report) said Nigerians are cheating (people), that is why Malaysians cheat me... so the police cannot do anything," he said.
Oke claimed the police asked him to provide information about other Africans whom they can raid and get money from, before returning his money.
Meanwhile, a Malaysian resident, who only wanted to be known as Arelim, noted that there were many foreigners living in the area, including from Thailand, Philippines and Bangladesh.
However, the 29-year-old said he did not face serious problems, apart from noise complaints and quarrels among the foreigners themselves.
"There are no theft issues, just noise and quarrels among them. They don't create trouble for the locals," Arelim said.
However, he added, their numbers have dwindled following multiple raids, with at least two this year.
Immigration and police deny misconduct
When contacted, Immigration Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud (photo, below) denied the mistreatment of detainees and any discrimination against Nigerians.
"It's untrue. Detainees of all nationalities are detained in the same block. If anyone is assaulted, other detainees would see. The treatment is the same.
"However, the Immigration Department will not compromise with misconduct. Complaints must be coupled with evidence, and stern disciplinary action will be taken," Khairul said.
Gombak district deputy police chief Arsad Kamaruddin denied bribery claims against its officers.
However, Arsad said, he is prepared to meet with the complainant for further investigation.
"We arrested 95 Africans last June, but did not receive any such complaint (about unreturned money).
"If there is, I urge the victim to meet me so that the appropriate action can be taken," Arsad said.
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