The report over the weekend, among others, claimed Sirul enjoyed special treatment in Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney, including having a “rare double room for himself”, his own computer, a telephone and access to a kitchen.
It also claimed Sirul had until recently retained the services of a solicitor, barrister, a migration consultant as well as a clerk and questioned who was footing the bill for the “out-of-work Malaysian policeman.”
However, the department, tasked with border protection and national security duties, pointed out a number of inaccuracies in the report.
“The individual (Sirul) was not, as claimed by The Australian ‘taken into custody by Australian immigration officials on an Interpol red notice’. He was taken into immigration detention in January 2015 following the expiry of his Electronic Travel Authority (visa), which legally allowed his presence in the community to that point.
“The individual has no specific or special privileges at Villawood over and above those available to the general detainee population. He has not been placed ‘under the highest protection’ but has detention arrangements relevant to his circumstances,” said the official statement issued.
The department also denied stating its concerns that Sirul “could be harmed or threatened by officers from Malaysia’s Special Branch intelligence agency.”
It also said the recent video messages by Sirul were not shot while in detention.
“The generalised nature of statements made in the videos, and the detainee’s personal appearance, are consistent with them having been recorded before the individual entered immigration detention. The Australian was told this before publication.
“The Department stands by its statements to The Australian the video messages were filmed before the individual entered immigration detention. The Department will examine any new material or evidence which is presented to it.”