PKR VP Says No Room For Custodial Death In The New Malaysia

Chang Lih Kang (VP of PKR)

I am extremely shocked to learn about the death of Thomas Orhions Ewansiha, a Nigerian PhD student, while he was detained at the Bukit Jalil immigration depot.

Ewansiha was among 20 foreigners who were picked up in an operation on July 4 2019, according to the immigration department, he was held for 14 days for further investigations.

In accordance to the spirit of reforms, the Pakatan Harapan government should order an inquest on the death immediately. 

"There is no room for custodial death in the New Malaysia."

No life shall be deprived, let alone the poor man who was only investigated under immigration laws.

I would also like to urge the government to amend the Immigration Act and the standard operating procedures (SOP) of immigration enforcement, under Section 51 of the Immigration Act, immigration officers are permitted to detain any foreigner for 14 days, before producing them before a Magistrate.

The long and unchecked remand period has given uncalled-for room for few evil minded officers to abuse their power and extort bribes. It is ridiculous for a government agency of a modern country to take a fort-night to verify simple document. The unreasonably long remand period has degraded the efficiency of the supposedly able immigration department. It has also increased government expenditure unnecessarily by over-crowding the detention facilities.

As a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defense and Home Affairs, I will bring the matter up in the coming committee meeting.

An improvement in the current immigration enforcement SOP is badly needed to ensure the good name of our immigration department.

Chang Lih Kang
Vice President of PKR
MP for Tanjong Malim
Member of Defense and Home Affairs Parliamentary Select Committee.