Dept takes over manning detention centres
Published on: Sunday, January 03, 2021
By: Bernama
Credit: borneotoday.net
PAPAR: The State Immigration Department (JIM) took over the management of the State Temporary Detention Centre (PTS) from the National Security Council (NSC) Sabah effective Friday (Jan. 1).NSC Sabah Director, Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof (pic), said the handover was in line with the Immigration Department as the manager at PTS in terms of legal aspects and obligation in line with the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002), which is the law on the management of detainees as well as enable the institution operate legally under the Act.
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“The handing-over of the PTS management to JIM is a strategic decision as the department is an experienced agency and has the best mechanism in coordinating the management of detainees (immigration offenders) in detention centres,” she said.
Sabah Federal Secretary, Datuk Samsuni Mohd Nor, who was present to witness the handing-over of the PTS management, said the implementation of the government’s policy is meant to ensure service delivery, especially on the issue of foreigners in the State.
“Today, the PTS in Sabah will be officially handed over from NSC to JIM and it has been rebranded in accordance with the Immigration Act as an Immigration Detention Depot.
“We hope that the issue of foreign immigrants can be addressed better and more accurately,” he said, after he signed the symbolic plaque on the handover.
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Samsuni also witnessed the NSC flag lowering and raising of JIM’s flag, accompanied by the department’s band with the strength of two officers and 35 members, besides inspecting the guard of honour by the department.
Meanwhile, the Department would focus on technological innovation to optimise its workforce and improve security at Temporary Detention Centres in the State now that the four in Sabah have come under it.
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Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin said it is in the process of inspecting and improving the infrastructure, including security fences as well as other facilities.
“What is more important is that we highlight technological innovations and not rely on more manpower to operate the PTS depots,” he said.
“We are identifying suggested technologies like drone, CCTV (closed-circuit television), sensors, and autogate, among others.
“A system developed this year is the National Integrated Immigration System (NIICe) which would make Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as the pioneer project that cost RM1.2 billion.
“We are in the process of opening tenders and the system would be fully operational nationwide by 2023.”
Meanwhile some 376 KP11 and KP14 Grade officers under the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) had been offered the option of KP19 Grade Immigration Officers.
Muhamad Sade said the option was among initiatives taken to strengthen the Department’s manpower in handling the four PTS depots in Sabah.
“The Department has been making preparations since the past three months, in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
“We were informed then that the Department will take over the handling of PTS starting Jan 1, 2021.
“Since then, we had many meetings with the NSC and other Federal agencies like the Finance Ministry, Public Service Department and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).”Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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