It was a relief to read that Nepali migrant worker Mangal Bahadur Gurung has received his back wages from his former employer.

However, the pressing and primary issue here is that Mangal was wrongfully sentenced to 10 months' jail and a stroke of the rotan. The authorities involved in bungling his case - specifically the Immigration Department and the Magistrates Court - seem to be silent on this fact.

Nothing can be done to 'un-whip' him and no amount of money would suffice to compensate for the 51 days he wasted in jail. Not to mention, the fact that he was not provided with an interpreter during his court proceedings.

It would be a gesture of good faith on the part of the Malaysian government to justly compensate Mangal for the pain and hardship he suffered, regardless of whether or not he chooses to institute civil proceedings against them.