Immigration dept denies detainees abused at Selangor depot

 

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the public must substantiate any claim of abuse at detention centres so that investigations can be carried out and appropriate action taken. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The immigration department has denied allegations circulating on social media that inmates at a detention centre in Selangor had been abused by its personnel.

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said all detainees were managed according to set procedures, Bernama reported.

He said any breach of discipline committed by detainees would only be acted upon once the alleged offence was confirmed by the depot commander through an investigation.

“Internal checks at the immigration depot revealed that there are no records of such (abuse) incidents. The depot is also equipped with CCTV cameras, and no suspicious activity was detected.

“We urge the public to provide specific information through our official complaint channels so that we can conduct investigations and take appropriate action,” he said, adding that the department will not compromise or protect any officer found guilty of misconduct.

Earlier, there were claims that an immigration officer had witnessed his colleagues abusing detainees at the immigration depot. - FMT