King Kong's provocative and unfounded remarks deserve a rebuttal lest he influences some naive minds.

Migration (and emigration) of human beings is a pre-requisite of human progress and development. Without migration, human beings would be doomed to an existence worse than that of animals. Even animals migrate to seek a better habitat.

The first humans migrated out of southern Africa thousands of years ago and spread throughout the world and people have been moving about since then.

Even modern-day Malaysians are the result of different waves of migrants, starting with the proto-Malays and the deutro-Malays from Yunnan in southern China, followed much later by Malays from other parts of the archipelago e.g. the Bugis, and in more recent times (about 600 to 1,000 years ago) by the Indians and Chinese from southern India and southern China respectively.

Human beings migrate because they seek a better life, a better habitat or better opportunities. Is there anything wrong with this?

People also migrate because of factors like wars, poverty, discrimination etc. and for political or even religious reasons. In modern times, people often migrate for security, work and education opportunities etc.

To bring up issues of patriotism and love of country is illogical. Does patriotism mean that one must stay put no matter how unhappy and unfulfilled one is?

Patriotism is not a one-way thing, it is a two-way commitment. If one finds that one's patriotism and loyalty is not reciprocated as having to live with discriminatory policies, a corrupt government, inhumane and repressive laws etc. one has a right to review one's patriotism and commitment if one so chooses.

Why would people stay if their talents are not recognised in their own country and they do not have the opportunities to develop their potential? Why remain when they can have these opportunities in another country?

Migrants, of course, have to sacrifice much, to the extent of even being separated from their friends and family, but the human spirit for achievement and self-actualisation is very strong and will overcome great odds to achieve its potential and dreams.

All that is worthy of achievement involves great sacrifice but then again, perhaps King Kong was born with a silver spoon in his mouth or a bundle of shares in listed companies in his hand.

I feel very sorry for King Kong reading his bigoted and even racist attitude to migrants. He is also doing a great disservice to the sacrifice of his forefathers who, I am sure migrated to Malaysia from some other parts of the region many years ago.

I am also reminded of ex-US president Jimmy Carter's eloquent response to critics of his liberal immigration policies when he asked: 'Which one amongst us, was not, at some point in the past, an immigrant or the children of immigrants?'

So King Kong, you may be one of the privileged rich or a beneficiary of the politics of selective benevolent largesse practised in Malaysia, but do not revel in it too much. At the rate that the nation's wealth and resources are being depleted to support the likes of you, it will not be too long when you may find yourself an unwilling emigrant in a faraway land slaving for one of your erstwhile fellow citizens for whom you have so much disdain for today.

Why do you think there are so many Indonesian and Filipino migrants 'slaving away' (in your words) even in Malaysia?

The majority of modern-day migrants come from countries where corruption, war, discrimination and generally bad governments have driven their citizens away. These include the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc. If you are doubtful, just check the Transparency International's corruption perception index and you will find that the largest migrant contributing countries also have bad corruption ratings.

Indeed, it is very fortunate that we all live in this day and age of globalisation where we are free to live and work anywhere in the world as long as we have the skills and talent.

There is much less reason now to put up with bad governments, or racist, corrupt and oppressive regimes, anywhere in the world.