Migrant workers

Migrant workers

Malaysia is indeed a very compassionate country. While
Malaysians are counting on the government to take a harder stand
on illegal foreign workers, the government continues to show
leniency towards these illegal migrants.

Recently, the Indonesian government has made it clear that it
has the intention to sue Malaysian employers withholding the
salaries of its nationals working in Malaysia, legally or
illegally employed here.

Jakarta's erratic and illogical move has taken the country by
shock, our deputy prime minister included.

Our government has all this while adopted a soft approach in
handling the issue of illegal foreign workers. The excessive
showing of mercy has largely disappointed the Malaysian public.
The government says it has diplomatic considerations in mind, and
there is nothing we can do except continue tolerating.

No doubt, foreign workers have contributed greatly to the
country's development and are needed in many industrial sectors.
We welcome those who come here to work for a living, but can
hardly tolerate those creating havoc here. We have paid a heavy
social price by allowing illegal migrants to stay here, those out
of job in particular.

While we sympathize with them, we should never be too
complacent. We must quickly get rid of the social tumors before
it is too late.
-- Sin Chew Daily, Selangor, Malaysia