KOTA KINABALU: Claims that immigration detainees are dying in depot centres in Sabah due to congestion are making the rounds on social media, but the Immigration Department has denied them.

Sabah Immigration Department director Datuk Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said there is no truth to such claims, adding that they are meant to confuse and mislead the public.

She said photos of alleged dead detainees in state depots are also fake and do not refer to any facilities under the department.

"All immigration detainees under our care are in good condition while waiting for deportation," Sitti said in a statement on Sunday (July 26).

She said throughout the duration of their detention, detainees are given fair treatment according to the law and standard operating procedures.

Sitti said detainees are provided with shelter and basic needs, including daily meals with the required nutrition portions approved by the Health Ministry for children and adults.

They are also given medical attention when necessary, she said.

On repatriation, Sitti explained that Filipino detainees are usually deported from Sandakan to Zamboanga, but operations on this main route have been suspended by Philippine authorities since February.

This has affected the deportation process to their home countries, she said.

Alternative air routes from Kota Kinabalu to Manila and sea routes from Lahad Datu to Bongao are now being used, but Sitti said these depend on families being willing to pay for travel costs.

"The Sabah Immigration Department has always been committed to ensuring the welfare, safety and health of all detainees are taken care of until their deportation, which is done according to the law and standard operating procedures, alongside cooperation with the Philippine authorities," Sitti said.

"Therefore, it is advisable for the public not to believe any form of unverified information, photos or content that could be misleading," she said, while advising them to get accurate information through official department channels.