International human rights group Fortify Rights has reported that at least 140 people have died in Malaysia’s immigration detention centers since the government began a strict crackdown on undocumented migrants in 2024. The organization based its findings on data released by Malaysia’s Home Ministry in Parliament, noting that between 2021 and 2025, a total of 465 detainees died, including 393 men, 60 women, and 12 minors. Fortify Rights called for an independent investigation into the deaths, citing overcrowding, medical neglect, and inhumane conditions as major causes.

According to the group, the intensified operations against undocumented migrants and refugees have led to a surge in arrests, with 22,045 people currently held in facilities designed for 21,530. The Home Ministry attributed the deaths to diseases such as sepsis, leptospirosis, and meningitis, but Fortify Rights argued that poor sanitation, contaminated water, and delayed medical care worsened these conditions. Interviews with former detainees revealed allegations of severe neglect, punishment for requesting treatment, and reliance on basic painkillers instead of proper medical care.

Fortify Rights urged Malaysia to comply with international human rights standards, including the UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules, ensuring equal and timely healthcare for all detainees and accountability for preventable deaths.