JP/6/OTH3

A big tragedy for Megawati

Malaysia has suspended deportation of the Philippines' illegal migrants workers after a deal was reached between Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Reports said that Arroyo called Mahathir last Friday saying that a team would be dispatched to Malaysia to find out the Philippines' workers condition at the detention center in Malaysia before they were sent home. Dialog and bargain between Manila and Kuala Lumpur has been fruitful.

Anti-Malaysia demonstrations have taken place in the Philippines with the burning of Malaysian flags after the death of several infants.

Illegal workers expulsion from Malaysia has become a regional issue. This is a matter of economy and law among the people of Southeast Asia.

Arroyo stated that she visited Tawi-Tawi where Philippines illegal workers expelled from state of Sabah were concentrated. She told Filipinos that it time to fight for humanity.

Arroyo has witnessed how the real suffering of her fellow Filipinos expelled from Sabah, and she described it as a big tragedy.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has never done what Arroyo did to console expelled illegal workers. Megawati has not even made any statements on that issue.

-- Harian Ekonomi Neraca, Jakarta