PUTRAJAYA – The Home Ministry is in the midst of extracting several children that are presently being held at Immigration Department’s depots nationwide, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The minister said he is currently engaging with several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have the expertise and specialise in childcare.
“I am in the process of removing these children from the detention depots in the near future,” he told reporters following the ministry’s engagement session with the media, last night.
He reiterated that the ministry was serious about managing the matter after the issue received the attention of human rights activists and international bodies.
The ministry, Saifuddin admitted, has complete information regarding their numbers and profiles and is ready to hand them over to NGOs specifically for childcare.
At the same time, he also expressed his commitment to not prevent any NGO from entering the detention depot to visit the group of children.
“I have identified a number of chin the detention depot and my plan to remove them.
“I am trying to connect these children with an NGO that specialises in child welfare. The numbers (of children) are subjective, I will announce it in the near future,” he added.
In another development, Saifuddin also announced that the Bangladeshi child found in a container at a wharf at West Port, in Port Klang on January 17 will be sent back to his home country next week.
“The victim was sent to Klang Hospital and given medical treatment before we contacted the Bangladesh Embassy to complete his travel documents.
“Next week we will arrange a return flight ticket for the boy and send him back to his home country.
“This matter was also informed to the Bangladeshi Home Minister during my working visit to the country,” he added. – The Vibes, February 16, 2023
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