Govt foots RM89mil food bill for detained illegal immigrants
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is incurring an annual expenditure of about RM89 million to provide meals for 16,412 illegal immigrants currently held at Immigration Department detention depots nationwide.
According to Utusan Malaysia, the estimated cost of RM15 per detainee per day covers meals only and does not include additional costs such as electricity and healthcare, which are also borne by the government.
However, the actual expenditure may vary depending on the fluctuating number of detainees entering or leaving the depots.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that as of April 30, a total of 16,412 undocumented migrants were being held at 18 permanent depots, two temporary depots, and six Baitul Mahabbah facilities across the country.
He said most of the detainees were from Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
"At present, the government is spending RM15 per day to provide meals and drinks for each detainee at the depots. This rate also applies to those housed at temporary depots and Baitul Mahabbah centres.
"Annually, this amounts to more than RM89 million in meal costs alone. This figure excludes other expenditures, such as medical treatment, medication, electricity, and operational needs," he said.
Zakaria said that actual spending was contingent on the number of detainees held at any given time.
The current total capacity across all facilities stands at 21,530 individuals — comprising 19,750 at immigration depots, 380 at Baitul Mahabbah, and 1,400 at temporary depots.
"As of now, 16,412 individuals are being detained, and this figure changes regularly with new arrivals and deportations. Therefore, there is no issue of overcrowding.
"We conduct regular deportations, with an average of 4,000 to 4,400 individuals repatriated each month," he said.
Zakaria said that key performance indicators (KPIs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place to ensure that detainees were not held for more than three months before being deported.
"Although the government bears the cost of deportation, this strategy ultimately reduces the overall financial burden of prolonged detention.
"However, in certain cases, individuals are detained for longer periods due to issues with documentation or other constraints," he added.
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