Those of us who believe that honesty is the best policy cannot help but agree with Steven Gan's editorial on the plight of the Indonesian workers.

It is indeed being a cheapskate and downright dishonest to cheat a worker out of his wages. It is unconscionable and every fair-minded Malaysian should condemn those behind these unpaid labour scams .

When poverty-stricken people travel long distances, enduring hardships to find and do hard work, what kind of monster could rob them of their dues? It is shame of the worst kind that Malaysian employers could stoop so low as to cheat those poor workers. They need to be paid immediately and not give anymore excuses.

Malaysians are developing a reputation as racketeers. Is it a ploy to repatriate the workers so as to evade paying them their wages? How wages can be allowed to accumulate for so many months is beyond understanding.

Is it any wonder some unpaid workers may have turned to crime? Not only to survive but out of spite for a country that cheats them? The least the government and employer groups could do is to start a fund to pay these Indonesian workers and recoup the amount from the errant employers with penalties later.

The minister for human resources should be held accountable for allowing matters to descend to such a level and for not preventing the non-payment of wages for many workers and not just a handful.

Let it be said that many Malaysians will always remember the contributions of all the foreign workers, especially those from Indonesia who have helped build many of the country's buildings. After all, not all Malaysians are ungrateful people.

Despite being cheated by all sorts of dishonest middlemen, racketeers, corrupt cops and even large corporations, these workers have carried out their part of the bargain faithfully and diligently.

The proud, completed buildings are a testimony of their sacrifice and effort. I hope Malaysians will rally around the plight of the unpaid foreign workers and provide them with some sort of relief.

Perhaps an emergency fund could be started for these unpaid workers and Malaysian lawyers could volunteer their services to these unfortunate victims of obvious scams. If no one will, allow me to apologise to all those foreign workers who have been badly treated.

Please forgive us for allowing this wrong against foreign workers to be perpetrated. I hope you find justice soon.