Govt pressed for transparency on children's transfer from immigration depots

The government's plan to transfer women and children detainees from immigration depots to a different location as part of the alternative to detention or ATD programme has come under scrutiny following a lack of details by officials with stakeholders.

This followed the announcement by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that 80 children would be transferred out of immigration depots for placement at centres that are "more conducive".

Earlier this year, Saifuddin said the children would be placed under the care of NGOs.

His latest announcement however came without any details on the new location.

This prompted former Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan to urge the government for more transparency. 

"Who was involved in coming up with this? This is about children: please disclose all information. This government should have no issue with transparency," she said on Twitter.

She also questioned whether the home ministry was cooperating with the women, family and community development ministry.

"And is Nancy Shukri and her ministry involved in this issue that affects women and children?"

Last week, Saifuddin said the children of detainees from immigration depots in Bukit Jalil, Semenyih and KLIA would be placed in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, adding that logistical aspects such as sleeping mats, water and electricity supply were still pending.