Immigration Department starts moving migrants to states

PETALING JAYA — The Immigration Department is shifting the 1,000 Rohingya and Bangladeshis at the Belantik Immigration depot in Kedah to other states, including Penang, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.

Its director-general, Mr Mustafa Ibrahim, said this was aimed at clearing space for new arrivals at the depot.

He said people should not compare immigration depots to refugee camps, and assured the public those being housed in immigration depots would have to undergo documentation.

“The department has in place rules and everyone has to adhere to them. There will be no compromise,” he said in a statement.

Mr Mustafa said police were assisting the department by providing security at the depot.

“The cooperation of other agencies has been good and we are working closely to provide assistance to the migrants,” he said.

Mr Mustafa said the Health Ministry had deployed medical personnel to the depot to carry out health screening as the illegals had been living in poor conditions for a long time.

He said the department was checking the backgrounds of those wanting to assist with the illegal migrants.

“We have to be careful with certain quarters who may try to manipulate the issue with unnecessary repercussions on the government, the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department,” he said.

“Since this issue has become more complicated locally and internationally, the department has to be extra careful to protect our dignity and image.”

He said directives issued to his officers by Home Ministry top officials including the minister, Mr Zahid Hamidi, were “loud and clear” to ensure compliance. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE