PUTRAJAYA: Some illegal immigrants housed at the Belantik Immigration Depot in Kedah have been transferred to other immigration depots in Penang, Perak and Kuala Lumpur, the department director-general Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim said.
The move comes after reports of overcrowding at the depot surfaced but Mustafa clarifies the department is still able to accommodate the Rohingyas and Bangladeshi immigrants at Belantik Depot by providing them with the best treatment.
“People cannot compare the immigration depots to the refugees camps, which may be more convenient and comfortable to the immigrants but we are doing the best we can to accommodate them.
“So far, we have received good cooperation from other agencies in assisting the needs of these people.
“The Health Ministry has deployed its personnel to carry out health screening to ensure they are healthy and fit enough to live in their present environment and conditions while the police are guarding the area to ensure safety and security,” he said.
Mustafa added some non-governmental organisations are actively involved in helping them by providing basic items.
The Belantik Depot is only able to accommodate about 1,500 people at one time.