18,000 undocumented migrants held at detention centres, says Saifuddin
PETALING JAYA : A total of 17,896 undocumented migrants were being held at immigration detention centres nationwide as of July 6, with over 10% of them being children, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a written parliamentary reply, he said all the children were detained with at least one parent and were not separated from their families.
Saifuddin said the immigration department operates 20 detention facilities, 18 permanent depots and two temporary holding centres, along with six centres for minors, known as Baitul Mahabbah.
He said these facilities have an overall capacity of 21,530, with the number of detainees at any given time ranging between 16,000 and 18,000, depending on arrests and deportations.
Four nationalities make up over 90% of the detainee population: Myanmar (41.6% or 7,453 people), the Philippines (21.5% or 3,839), Indonesia (21.3% or 3,817) and Bangladesh (6.3% or 1,136).
Saifuddin was responding to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda–Muar), who asked for the number of individuals held at each immigration detention centre.
In a separate reply to Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), Saifuddin said 98,318 Malaysians renounced their citizenship between 2015 and 2025 to become Singapore citizens.
He said 2024 saw the highest number of renunciations during the period, with 16,930 Malaysians giving up their citizenship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia-led team investigating transparency of Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire
GEMAS: The Malaysia-led Interim Observer Team (IOT) plays a key role in investigating the transparency of the ceasefire along the Thailand-Cambodia border, said armed forces chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. "We have received reports from both countries of several ceasefire violations. "The team on the ground will investigate these main aim is to ensure that the ceasefire is implemented transparently and runs smoothly. "We have also requested Thailand and Cambodia to liaise with the Joint Action Group from both countries, including the legal section and others," he told reporters after witnessing the 2025 Firepower Training at Syed Sirajuddin Camp here today. Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to strictly observe a ceasefire along their shared border, with both sides maintaining current troop positions while also refraining from any further reinforcements. According to the Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting issued after the Extraordinary GBC Meeting on Aug 7, both sides must avoid unprovoked firing towards the other side's positions or troops, which may escalate tensions. Meanwhile, Mohd Nizam said the IOT is currently holding meetings with Thailand and Cambodia at least twice a week to monitor and report on the latest developments in the area concerned. He said Malaysia is always ready to send representatives at the next stage after the IOT, namely the Asean Defence Attaché Observer Team (AOT), to both countries. – Bernama
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Bentley and Porsche cars among RM6m luxury vehicles seized in Melaka JPJ's road tax and insurance crackdown
MELAKA, Aug 12 — The Melaka Road Transport Department (RTD) seized seven luxury vehicles, estimated to be worth almost RM6 million, during 'Op Khas Luxury' (Special Luxury Operation) conducted from July 1 until today. Its director, Siti Zarina Mohd Yusop, said the seized luxury vehicles, which include brands like Bentley, Porsche, BMW, and Toyota Alphard, were impounded for various offences, including expired road tax and lack of insurance coverage. She noted that common excuses given by the owners or drivers of these vehicles were that they 'overlooked' or 'forgot' to renew their road tax and insurance. 'The latest luxury vehicle seized was a Toyota Alphard driven by a Myanmar national with six other men of the same nationality, traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru. The seizure took place at the Jasin Toll entrance around 10 am this morning. 'The driver was found to not have a valid driver's license, and none of them had valid travel documents before being handed over to the police for further action,' she said at a press conference on Op Khas Luxury and Op Pemandu Warga Asing (PeWA) (Foreign Driver Operation) here today. Also present were the Deputy Director of the Melaka RTD, Khairul Aswad Abdul Halim, and the Head of the Melaka RTD Enforcement Division, Zulhilmi Zaidie. Elaborating further, Siti Zarina said that a check revealed that the owner of the Toyota Alphard is a local citizen while a detailed investigation is underway to examine various aspects, including whether the vehicle was rented to the foreigners involved. She added that Op Luxury was launched simultaneously across the country on July 1, focusing on strengthening enforcement against imported and luxury vehicles that fail to comply with road regulations and laws. In another development, she said 36 motorcycles ridden by foreigners were also seized under Op PeWA (operation codenamed Op Pewa for vehicles operated by foreigners), which was conducted around the state today. 'The foreigners riding motorcycles were from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Rohingya, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The main offences detected were driving without a license, expired road tax, and a lack of insurance coverage,' she said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Penang DAP installs giant Jalur Gemilang at Kepala Batas hardware store after display faux pas
KEPALA BATAS, Aug 12 — DAP today took a proactive step by installing a giant Jalur Gemilang at a hardware store on Jalan Bertam Perdana, which recently went viral for flying the national flag upside down. Penang DAP assistant secretary H'ng Mooi Lye said the huge flag measuring 10x20ft was put up as an educational effort to demonstrate the correct way to display the national flag and to prevent similar mistakes from recurring. 'For the love of the country, we should make it right. 'The installation of this giant flag also serves as a visual guide for the public on the correct way to do it, especially during this 'Fly the Jalur Gemilang' campaign in conjunction with the National Month, which runs from Aug 1 to Sept 16,' H'ng told reporters during a site visit. H'ng, who is also the State Local Government and Urban and Rural Planning Committee chairman, also distributed 500 flags to members of the public at the site as part of the outreach initiative. Also present was the Penang Chief Minister's Special Coordinator, Lay Hock Peng. H'ng said Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) are encouraging business owners to decorate their premises with the national flag throughout the National Month period. Meanwhile, the hardware store owner Pang Chin Tian, 59, who went viral over the weekend for allegedly flying the national flag upside down, said he is ready to face any legal consequences. Pang admitted the mistake was unintentional and took full responsibility for the incident, which occurred last Saturday. He vowed to be more careful in the future when displaying the national flag. 'It was not intentional. I admit it was my fault. At the time, the flag hadn't been fully installed yet. Once we realised the mistake, we corrected it immediately. Unfortunately, the viral video only showed part of the incident,' he said. Police arrested Pang last Saturday and released him on bail after recording his statement on Sunday. The investigation was launched following a 21-second video showing Pang and another man allegedly hoisting the national flag upside down. — Bernama
