Jan 1 next year is D-Day for all foreigners who remain in Malaysia illegally without proper documentation. The amnesty granted by the Malaysian government for them will expire on this day and they will be arrested pending legal action.

For the deportation of Indonesians and others, there would be much of a problem as their respective governments are willing to assist them. But for the Burmese deportees, the Burmese military government is waiting to punish them.

The lucky ones will be let off after paying a bribe or fine but others will be thrown into jail and could even face death.

Many Burmese illegal immigrants in Malaysia could not go back home during the amnesty period as the Burmese Embassy demanded about RM5,000 plus 'tax' for each new travel document issued.

I'm not going to argue about the Malaysian authorities' discrimination and different standards of treatment for different nationalities of foreigners. And I'm not going to question the right of the Malaysian government to arrest, prosecute, punish and deport illegal immigrants.

But I hereby want to request the Malaysian authorities to treat those caught according to international standards. Please do not to torture them, provide them with reasonable food and living space and provide them with adequate medical care.