Probe prompted by Guardian report on the deaths of 24 refugees and asylum seekers

Malaysia has launched an investigation into allegations of “torture-like” conditions inside immigration detention centres after the Guardian reported at least two dozen refugees and asylum seekers had died since 2015.

The country’s immigration department said it has taken “immediate action” in response to claims by rights groups and former detainees that inmates were physically abused and deprived of food, water and medical care.

The Malaysia Immigration Department, a body under the Home Affairs ministry, said it would review reports that guards frequently beat detainees. “If the investigation finds an officer guilty, the department will not hesitate to take disciplinary action,” it said in a statement.

Refugees describe death and despair in Malaysian detention centres Read more

Responding to charges of inadequate food and water, the department said a private contractor is tasked with providing four meals per day, and added guards could supply detainees with more as needed.

Recently released detainees have said meals were dirty and included so little food the servings could often fit in one hand, while they were given no choice but to drink toilet water.

The Guardian reported on Tuesday the testimony of a dozen refugees, all of whom said they saw at least one inmate die during their detention. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said at least 24 asylum seekers and refugees died in immigration detention centres over the past two years.

The immigration department said it “takes seriously the issue of deaths in immigration detention depots”.

It added that according to its records most of the deaths were due to diseases contracted outside its facilities. In a “first step” to try to reduce deaths from disease, the department said it will now start conducting a health screening for all new intakes.

The immigration department encouraged inmates with health problems to request to be sent to the clinic or hospital. However, detainees spoke of being beaten for such requests.

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) pointed to overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and lack of sanitary food and water as fuelling the spread of disease and deaths inside detention — with a commissioner referring to conditions as “torture-like”.

Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph welcomed the investigation, saying it was a “quick and positive response.”

