THE new RM77.5mil Jawi Immigration Detention Depot and Quarters can accommodate about 1,200 detainees, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The Deputy Works Minister said the project, which is 98% completed, could be fully operational as early as October this year.
The new facility would replace the existing dilapidated Juru Immigration Detention Depot.
The old depot, built in 1976, housed 500 detainees (350 men and 150 women).
The new project, said Ahmad, was built on a 6ha site, under the First Rolling Plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan.
“The project has security control features that aim to provide a conducive detention centre for illegal immigrants.
“It also provides accommodation for officers on duty.
“This will equip the Immigration Depot officers with a fast response time, enabling them to quickly handle any commotion in the detention block,” he said during his site visit.
Ahmad said another RM5.78mil was spent on the construction of a pump house and suction tank as well as a 2km water reticulation line.
He explained that this was to overcome the issue of low water pressure in the Jawi area, which affects the water supply to the prison and Taman Widuri.
Accompanying Ahmad during the site visit were Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and state Immigration Department director Nur Zulfa Ibrahim.
