Many of the Semenyih immigration detention centre inmates have stopped their hunger strike, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) chief Volker Turk today.

The strike, which started yesterday, involved 112 detainees. They were said to be upset with their continued incarceration and the conditions at the camp.

Glad that his advise had been heeded, Turk said a UNHCR team at the scene even saw some of the strikers having lunch with the centre's officials.

Yesterday, Turk described the strike as 'inappropriate' and urged those involved to stop. He also said conditions at the centre have improved since it was placed under the purview of the prisons department in May.

The centre, which houses 1,540 detainees, was previously under the jurisdiction of the immigration department.

'Wisdom has prevailed'

Meanwhile, the UNHCR team visited the centre this afternoon. Yesterday, the agency despatched an interpreter, psychologist, protection officer and security officer there after being informed of the strike.

"The team reported back to me about three hours ago and I understand that the majority have given up, showing that some wisdom has prevailed amongst them," said Turk when contacted at 3.30pm.

"We are glad that they have followed our advice as we told them they shouldn't be doing it as it damages health and doesn't send good signals," he said.

However, he added that there might still be a few left who insist on continuing with the strike and urged them to give it up as well.

Those involved were mainly Acehnese, Burmese, Afghans and Nepalese.

Earlier today, a spokesperson for the strikers, identified only as Basyari, claimed there were no changes to the number of protestors.

According to him, there were 139 protestors involved and not 112, as claimed by the authorities.

"Two have fainted but all of them are still conducting the strike," he said when contacted.

Positive moves

Meanwhile, Turk said there have been positive moves from the Malaysian government in handling the immigration situation in detention centres.

"We have been raising and discussing the matter with the government as it a good way forward and since August there have been about 50 (inmates) released from the camp in connection with resettlement proceedings," he added.

Reiterating that the UNHCR has been in "continued constructive dialogue with the government", Turk admitted that the changes they are looking to make will take time to show itself.

"The fact that the prisons department has taken over authority at the immigration detention centre shows an improvement," he added.

The government has been cracking down on asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants both legal and illegal since it announced its plans for a major crackdown in July.