More than 1000 children detained in Immigration centres this year

KUALA LUMPUR: More than one thousand children have been detained in the 13 detention centres across the country so far this year, says the Immigration Department.

Out of this number, Indonesian children from the largest number with 474, Myanmar (380), Thailand (139), Rohingya (136) and Cambodia (118), including others from Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh and China.

Currently, there are 315 children still languishing in these centre

Immigration deputy director (operations, investigation and prosecution) Eadie Nor Faizal said the children were detained because they were with their parents during immigration raids.

"When we detain their parents, we cannot leave their children behind without proper care, This is the last resort," he told reporters at a National Consultation on Comprehensive Policy Framework for Refugees on Wednesday (Oct 17), which was organised by the Bar Council.

He added Immigration does not have proper facilities for children and tries not to detain them whenever possible.

Currently, there are more than 9,200 migrants and refugees in detention centres nationwide.

Eadie also said that the detention centres were operating at over-capacity.

He also estimated that it costs about RM80 per detainee per day for housing in detention centres around the country.

This included electricity, water and meals.

He also admitted that the conditions in the detention centres were not ideal.