Give me time to listen to briefings, Saifuddin tells critics

Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has urged his critics to give him some time to receive briefings from all agencies under his purview before he is able to work on changing things.

This was his reply to the statement by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) yesterday, which described Saifuddin’s response to allegations of ill-treatment of detainees in the Kimanis Detention Centre in Sabah as “most specious and ridiculous”.

“It is only my fifth day in the office, so it is very unfair for them to pass judgment.

“As a minister who just started, in the early stage, it is of course reasonable for us to listen to briefings (from the agencies and departments). Does listening to the briefings mean we accept everything fully without any reservations? 

“Of course, there are some aspects on which we will give our view, but for now, we listen… There will reach a time in our continuous engagement with them, where we will give ideas for improvements,” Saifuddin (above) said. 

He was speaking at a press conference at Bukit Aman after his first official visit to the federal police headquarters today, where he also received a briefing from the inspector-general of police. 

Describing himself as someone open to criticisms and opposing views, Saifuddin said LFL should take a look at his past record instead of jumping to conclusions.

Yesterday, LFL slammed the minister for putting the blame on the detainees in the Kimanis immigration depot over their unhealthy state instead of ordering an inquiry into the matter.

LFL had also urged Saifuddin not to take the Immigration Department’s briefing at face value, as they were an interested party which would obviously want to dismiss claims of abuse or ill-treatment.

Saifuddin had earlier claimed that several detainees at the Kimanis immigration depot had entered the facility in an unhealthy physical state, after being briefed by the Immigration Department.

He also said it was unfair to play up the issue without considering external factors.

The PKR leader was responding to media reports based on a 90-second video clip posted on Facebook where a man who identified himself as a detainee at Kimanis Detention Centre, made an appeal for himself and others for their release.

The man reportedly said he had been in detention for a year and others for two or three years, with inadequate food and medicine, leading to their emaciated state.

Minister indicates no intention to review Sosma

Custodial abuse claims: LFL calls Saifuddin's dismissal 'ridiculous'

Unfair to 'overplay' Kimanis immigration detainees' call for help: Home minister

Families of Sosma detainees urge Anwar govt to repeal, stop using law

Halloween raid: Cops okayed event as long as not viral - organiser

Govt will now manage refugees, MP says maybe 50-year transition

NGOs want Suhakam to probe Khairol Azman’s custodial death

Second victory for S'porean in unlawful detention challenge

Groups fear M'sia deporting asylum seekers to face torture in Myanmar

Five weeks in jail - Retired engineer vows to keep fighting for justice