JP/6/OTH3

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