Shocking figures have emerged from the Muslim-majority country Malaysia. Since 2020, more than 300 illegal immigrants living in custody in Malaysia have died. The continuous deaths of illegal immigrants in custody in the country have increased the concern. Among the recent cases, the case of a citizen of Myanmar has come to light.
Ban Ja Min was detained during an immigration raid in the northern part of Malaysia. After this he died at the end of September. According to the New York Times, the man came to Malaysia about 5 years ago after the military coup in Myanmar. He worked in construction here and was waiting for the decision on his refugee status.
The family raised questions
According to the family, a minor cut on his right lower leg got infected and became septic. He was first taken from custody to the hospital for treatment and then sent back to custody. However, before his death he was once again admitted to the hospital.
His sister Lynn said that he was not given proper medical care. “I feel they were treated as undocumented and treated with no respect. The Malaysian Home Ministry has not answered any questions about their deaths or deaths in detention centres.
Strict steps taken regarding migrants
Malaysia has tightened immigration controls this year. The number of illegal people in the country was increasing, that is why the government took strict steps. The government has declared 2025 the year of enforcement and authorities have increased raids in workplaces and migrant communities.
Arrest of 7 thousand migrants
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasutian Ismail said in May that the government would not compromise in curbing illegal immigration. According to Fortify Rights, the number of arrests has doubled in recent years. Almost 7,000 migrants are being arrested every month.
Malaysia does not grant political asylum, but illegal immigrants can live and work if they are recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, activists say that some registered refugees have also been detained. According to UNHCR, there are more than 211,000 refugees in the country, mostly from Myanmar.
How is the condition of the centres?
Rights groups warn that detainees spend long periods of time in overcrowded facilities with unsanitary conditions, limited food and inadequate medical care.
Many prisoners are Rohingya Muslims. Malaysia’s migration department denies allegations of abuse and overcrowding and says its 20 detention centers operate at about 90 percent capacity. The department says some prisoners are in detention due to lack of travel documents or because their home countries have not accepted them back.
Rights activists argue that Malaysia’s policies are endangering those fleeing violence, including military defectors and civilians fleeing the civil war in Myanmar. Ramachelvam Manimuthu, president of the National Human Rights Society of Malaysia, said it is a very inhumane policy to detain people who should have refugee status.
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