Chapter 2 - Report of the Complaints, Monitoring and Inquiries Group
be detained. Such detention should be treated as action of last resort; and children should only
be detained for the shortest period possible. All stakeholders at the RTD emphasised the need to
develop a working group and a pilot programme on alternatives that focuses on unaccompanied
children.
(b) Monitoring of children’s well-being
During its periodic visits to Immigration detention centres, the Commission has given special
attention to the well-being of children.
Table 4: Visits to Immigration Detention Centres, 2013
NO.
LOCATION
DATE
1.
Tanah Merah, Kelantan
20 January
2.
Pekan Nenas, Pontian, Johor
20 February
3.
KLIA, Sepang, Selangor
26 March
4.
Langkap, Perak
16 July
5.
Machap Umboo, Melaka
28 August
6.
Ajil, Terengganu
23 October
7.
Juru, Pulau Pinang
25 November
Based on observations and discussions with the administrator of each detention centre, the
Commission has learnt that unaccompanied boys aged 13-18 years are placed in the same
block as male detainees; while unaccompanied young girls aged 13-18 years are placed in the
women’s block. Under the Immigration Depot Regulations, children under 12 who are arrested
with their parents can be admitted into the same detention centre as their parents.
The Commission officer is inspecting the condition of the detention centre
The Commission was informed that, as at 7 October 2013, there were 197 children under 12
and 550 children aged 13-18 years being detained throughout Malaysia. However, there were
no special activities or facilities at detention centres to cater to their needs, including access to
informal education.
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