Whatever the approach, action must be effective

AMONG the problems produced by a fluctuating get-tough policy on illegal immigrants is that few Malaysians will be convinced next time. More seriously perhaps, the illegals themselves are unlikely to believe any purported toughness exists, and with good reason. 

There were also good reasons for mounting a no-nonsense programme of arrests and deportations as the original plan. But something was apparently lost in translation, as doubt and uncertainty clouded what appeared to be a policy U-turn.