WITH Home Ministry unrelenting on its hardline approach against undocumented migrants, an Opposition lawmaker urged its minister to think before speaking on the matter.
“If not, you end up showing your arrogance and ignorance, which is a terrible combination to begin with,” said Klang MP Charles Santiago.
Recently, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin announced that the authorities would launch a crackdown on illegal immigrants during the total lockdown.
Despite objections from various quarters that such threat would force the community into hiding, risking COVID-19 infections further, the Government seems to be unrelenting on the decision.
Immigration director general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud defended the move and explained the decision on Twitter.
“We are going after illegal immigrants who live and work in this beloved country without any documents, not paying tax and levy but reap all the benefits. We are protecting the rights of local people,” he quipped.
However, many panned the idea including former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who said the Government should focus on screening and inoculating the community first.
Santiago said that those working closely on the migrant and labour issues had reminded the past and current administrations on the devious role played by agents and middlemen in rendering migrant workers undocumented.
“And we have called for these unscrupulous people to be investigated and charged in court. However, Hamzah challenged elected representatives who support migrant workers’ rights to get official papers for them instead.
“Not only has he sided with the dubious labour agents but Hamzah started a vicious campaign of misinformation about this vulnerable group,” he opined.
Hands off lawmakers
On that note, Santiago reminded Hamzah that Malaysia has about four million undocumented workers, with almost 90% of them entering the country legally.
While Hamzah may be firm on his decision, he added that elected representatives are duty bound to drum it into the former’s head that illegal immigrants must also get vaccinated for the country to achieve herd immunity against the pandemic.
“It’s ironic that despite holding a senior Cabinet post, the Home Minister doesn’t know that no one is safe until everyone is.
“These preposterous statements and mockery by Hamzah will end up being detrimental to the society in the future,” the DAP leader stated.
Santiago then urged Hamzah to deliberate the matter with other elected representatives, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGO) to come up with a best solution to address the matter.
“Hamzah should make himself useful and find a way to earn the trust of the undocumented migrant workers.
“And keep your hands off the elected representatives who stand in solidarity with the migrant workers and other vulnerable people,” he remarked. – June 5, 2021
