Detention options: Ministry studying community-based programmes

The Home Ministry is still studying community-based programmes as an alternative to detention for minors held over immigration offences, said its minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said they are ready to explore such options as a way forward in handling immigration cases involving children.

“The ministry is ready to explore the alternative to detention approach as part of our future plan.

“We are now discussing with international bodies including the United Nations and several countries that have the experience in organising such alternatives,” he told Malaysiakini.

Saifuddin was responding to a civil society group’s call for the government to release all children who are still being kept at immigration depots and facilities nationwide.

These include those who have been moved to Baitul Mahabbah centres - which the ministry established to house children under 10 and was criticised by End Detention Network (EDN) as another form of detention without a clear future.

Different approaches

According to the minister, Thailand is among the countries which Malaysia wants to learn from in regard to alternative approaches.

“We (authorities) will visit Thailand to learn from their experience as they have already practised such an approach.

“The ministry will also learn best practices from several other countries. Then only will the ministry set a timeline for implementation,” he added.

On Baitul Mahabbah, Saifuddin said there have been 340 children moved from immigration depots to four such facilities nationwide since the programme was established a year ago.

Of the 340, a total of 84 have been repatriated to their home country.

Saifuddin said the ministry is ready to look into the initiative’s weaknesses since its inception on Sept 4 last year.

‘Work with us’

He also called for NGOs like EDN to work together with the government in improving its initiatives instead of criticising from the sidelines.

“While there have been many NGOs that have already come forward with suggestions, proposals, advice and offering their cooperation with the ministry in our Baitul Mahabbah project, I have not heard about this group called EDN.

“They are free to comment and air their views, but the ministry appreciates the NGOs that also come to help us in improving the Baitul Mahabbah efforts,” Saifuddin added.

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