THE Sabah Immigration Department (JIM) has strongly denied allegations that detention depots in the state are overcrowded and that numerous Filipino detainees have died as a result.
Its director, Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, said the claims circulating on social media were false, baseless and misleading.
"JIM Sabah wishes to emphasise that the allegations are untrue, unfounded and confusing.
"The pictures circulating on social media do not refer to any immigration detention depot under the supervision of JIM Sabah," she said in a statement on Sunday.
She said all Filipino detainees currently held at Sabah immigration detention depots were in good condition while awaiting repatriation to their home country.
Sitti Saleha said detainees were provided with appropriate care and protection in accordance with existing laws and standard operating procedures.
"Throughout their detention period, all depot occupants are provided with basic facilities, including scheduled meals that comply with menus and nutritional requirements approved by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) according to the needs of adults and children.
"Additionally, detainees are given access to medical treatment when required, as well as other basic necessities based on their needs," she said.
She also explained that repatriation operations for Filipino detainees via sea routes from Sandakan to Zamboanga, previously the main route used for deportations, had been suspended by the Philippine authorities since February 2026.
"This situation has affected the smooth implementation of the repatriation process to the country of origin.
"To ensure the repatriation process continues, JIM Sabah is using alternative routes, including flights from Kota Kinabalu to Manila and sea routes from Lahad Datu to Bongao," she said.
However, she added that repatriation through alternative routes was subject to the agreement of detainees’ families to bear the travel costs involved.
Sitti Saleha said JIM Sabah remained committed to safeguarding the welfare, safety and health of all detainees while carrying out repatriation procedures in accordance with the law and established processes, in cooperation with Philippine authorities.
She urged the public not to believe or share unverified information, images or content that could mislead others.
"The public is also advised to obtain accurate information only through official JIM channels," she said. - July 26, 2026
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