Compassion has limits, so must immigration


Tipping point: A bus carrying Myanmar nationals being repatriated from Malaysia seen heading toward to navel base in Lumut. —AFP

IT’S a problem that has been festering for far too long. Now, Malaysia has reached a point where we can no longer avoid having an honest conversation about illegal immigrants and refugees living and working in the country.

We already have more than 200,000 UN-registered refugees and maybe tens of thousands more unregistered ones. The Government’s decision to begin repatriating Myanmar nationals who are willing and eligible to return home is therefore understandable and deserves to be supported.

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Wong Chun Wai , On the beat column
Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang and served Star Media Group for nearly four decades in various capacities and roles. He was group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. "On The Beat" debuted on Feb 23, 1997. Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for occasional press holidays when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star. He is now chairman of national news agency Bernama.

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