TUARAN: The Baitul Mahabbah in Papar here is expected to be operational by the end of the year, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said under the management of the Immigration Department, children aged 10 and below who are detained will be placed at Baitul Mahabbah until the documentation processes are completed and they are sent back to their country of origin.

"In the 2024 Budget, the Prime Minister has approved (tabled) RM10 million for Baitul Mahabbah to be expanded to include Sabah and Sarawak.

"Such an initiative will definitely give benefits to the welfare of detainees and improve the reputation of Malaysia at the international stage in managing detainees and their human rights," he said, adding that there is a pioneer project being conducted in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

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Saifuddin was speaking during a programme at the Sabah People's Volunteer Corp (RELA) Training Centre here.

He also said that the government is concerned for the welfare of RELA personnel and thus ensuring assets are being fixed and upgraded.

Among them are the RM50 million maintenance on quarters for agencies under the ministry; upgrading the Narcotic Addiction Recovery Centre (PUSPEN) in Papar at RM17 million; fixing and replacing lifts at the Sabah police complex at RM7.3 million; and upgrading the state RELA training centre at RM9.7 million among others.

To beef up security at the borders, there are more General Operation Force (GOF) control posts in Pagalungan, Nabawan dan Kinabatangan; the building of the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security complex in Bantul, Pagalungan; and the construction of the GOF Batalion 20 Housing and Administration building Complex in Beluran; the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency maritime base in Semporna; as well as the Forward Operating Base off Mabul island.

Saifuddin also assured that the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) has been secured as authorities have thwarted 40 kidnap-for-ransom cases from 2017 to 2023.

"This has significantly elevated the security level in the ESS Zone, as evidenced by the notable increase in tourist presence.

"It is estimated that approximately 156,363 foreign tourists have visited the five tourist destinations in the ESS Zone, namely Kudat, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, and Semporna, based on tourist entry records from January to September, 2023."

Present was Home Ministry secretary general Datuk Ruji Ubi.