KUALA LUMPUR: The death of 20 detainees at Immigration depots in the first half of 2024 and 24 in police custody between 2022 and May 20, 2024, were due to illness, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
"Between Jan 1, 2024, and June 18, there were 20 deaths at Immigration depots comprising foreign nationals from Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia," the Home Minister told the Dewan Rakyat, citing Immigration Department statistics during his winding-up speech on the Suhakam 2022 annual report on Monday (July 1).
He said post-mortem examination results showed illness as the cause of death.
"As for police (custody), between 2022 and May 20, 2024, we recorded 24 deaths. There were deaths due to Covid-19, tuberculosis and heart attacks.
"There were no suicides nor cases of police assault," he said in response to Hassan Karim's (PH-Pasir Gudang) question on the number of custodial deaths.
Saifuddin Nasution also said some of those who died were addicted to drugs.
He said a pilot project for custodial health units is being conducted at three police stations.
He added that detainees would be sent for health checks before they are remanded.
On another note, Saifuddin said the government had no plans to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture, as Malaysia has caning as a form of corporal punishment.
"If we ratify it then we will have to amend existing laws. Neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Brunei did not ratify the convention too," he said.
He was responding to a question by Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) on whether Malaysia would ratify the UN convention.
