In Malaysia, we live in a culture that is very hostile to the poor

The rich are getting relatively richer, while the poor are really struggling – just ask the Malaysian activists and community workers who are at breaking point, fielding daily calls from people begging for food. — 123rf.com

What kind of country is Malaysia? On the eve of the country’s 65th birthday on Aug 31 – a lifetime in human years – it’s an apt time to ask this. How much, for example, do we value the humanity of all?

Two incidents struck me recently. We detained a mother and her three young children and threatened to deport them, allegedly unlawfully. And we wrongfully convicted a legal migrant worker, and then wrongfully whipped him before an appeal was heard.