KUALA LUMPUR: The government has rejected claims linking the country to the inhumane treatment of migrant and refugee children, including the Rohingya community.
The Home Ministry said claims that children were detained without defence or denied basic welfare did not reflect the government's actual efforts to manage irregular migration responsibly, humanely, and in line with national security needs.
In a statement today, the ministry said the government had implemented various measures, including establishing Baitul Mahabbah temporary shelters and refining the Alternative to Detention framework for children.
As of Feb 28, six Baitul Mahabbah shelters were operating nationwide, housing 188 children, including seven categorised as unaccompanied or separated minors.
"Baitul Mahabbah is a transitional measure implemented by the government while a more comprehensive alternative framework to child detention is being refined by the ministry, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, strategic partners, and non-governmental organisations," the statement read.
Previously, Rohingya activist Noor Azizah spoke out regarding the detention and lack of educational access for the Rohingya community.
The activist raised the issue of Rohingya refugees during an event at an Australian university, claiming that over 2,000 Rohingya children in Malaysia were held in immigration detention centres and growing up behind bars instead of being in classrooms.
According to the ministry, it has, together with the Immigration Department, implemented various measures to ensure the welfare and protection of the children were prioritised.
"The Baitul Mahabbah initiative serves as an interim step to provide more suitable temporary accommodation for children aged 12 and below, along with their guardians.
"The initiative allows children to be moved from standard immigration depot environments while documentation, status verification, and further settlement processes are carried out.
"At Baitul Mahabbah, they are placed in a more conducive environment and provided with necessities, safety, healthcare, informal education activities, basic guidance, and recreation spaces suited to their age and condition, the ministry said.
The government also plans to expand the scope and capacity of Baitul Mahabbah in phases, including accommodating other age categories, subject to facility suitability, security levels, protection needs, and the capacity of implementing agencies.
The ministry added that the government urged all parties, including countries of origin, international organisations, regional partners, and humanitarian activists, to play a more decisive and responsible role in finding sustainable solutions.
"Focus should not only be placed on criticising recipient nations but also on addressing the root causes of forced migration, including combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking syndicates.
"Malaysia also wishes to stress that this issue cannot be viewed in isolation from the larger context. Illegal entry, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking involving vulnerable communities, including the Rohingya, represent complex and transboundary security and humanitarian challenges.
"In many instances, children fall victim to syndicate networks that exploit conflict, poverty, and the lack of long-term solutions in their countries of origin, it said. - NST
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