Public shocked at RM90 daily cost to feed one detained illegal immigrant: “Are the authorities kidding?”

 

IN A tough economic climate where ordinary Malaysians are struggling to make ends meet or even put food on the table, some headlines will most definitely rub citizens the wrong way.

One such headline had to do with the cost of housing illegal foreigners in the country which added up to a whopping RM1.87 mil daily.

As per the Utusan Malaysia report, the government claimed to be spending that amount to accommodate 20,775 foreign detainees placed at immigration depots nationwide, hence the cost of around RM90/person/day.

In fact, data from the Malaysian Immigration Department shows that the number of detainees has continued to increase since 2023 – from 12,092 people to 15,917 (2024) followed by 18,961 (2025) and 20,775 (as of March 31).

According to Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, the five nationalities with the highest number of foreigners in Immigration depots nationwide were Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Thailand.

News of this expenditure was shared on the Malay-language daily’s Facebook portal which prompted many Malaysians to question the amount actually spent.

One commenter hit the nail on the head when he voiced out what most Malaysians are thinking. How is it possible that illegal foreigners are being detained at such costs when ordinary Malaysians are getting by with much less (RM30 it was claimed).

It was surmised that the number is high due to leakages and corruption which are normal when dealing with government projects. “Lots of mouths to feed” was the succinct observation here.

Many citizens who are obviously struggling with the cost-of-living crisis were incredulous that it needed RM90 daily to detain these undocumented immigrants a.k.a. Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin (PATI).

The sense that these detainees were having a lavish lifestyle was apparent in a comment that noted most Malaysians were unable to afford RM90 on daily meals and expenses. It was added that these PATIs should be deported by boat and not planes.

The sense of anger and resentment was evident in a while host of comments that demanded these illegal foreigners be fined, whipped and shipped back to their country of origin.

Echoing this sentiment, another disgruntled citizen claimed illegal foreigners have the impression that Malaysia was a rich country to the extent that the detainees feel very comfortable even “when housed in detention centres”.

However, some commenters took a different perspective by noting that it wasn’t that these detainees were living a lavish existence but rather the high number quoted was a consequence of leakages.

One commenter also noted that this RM90 number was NOT just food but included all expenses such lodgings, facilities as well as cost of staff at these detention centres.

Whatever the permutations, the overall sentiment was one of discontent that the national coffers are being taxed to such an amount for the purpose of housing and feeding illegal aliens.

A comment that summed up the mood was that these monies would be better used aiding and assisting needy Malaysians. 

- Focus malaysia