Thank you for highlighting the plight of the refugees in Malaysia. But let's also do something practical for them. Some among he police, who instead of upholding the law and protecting the defenceless, are heartless racketeers who prey on society's most vulnerable, and the government does not seem to care. The government shamelessly did the opposite, by incredulously prosecuting a social worker who tried to allay their plight some years ago. This brought shame to the good name of this country overseas. All unkind acts against the refugees and those who try to help them are uncalled for and unbecoming of a prosperous nation.

Refugees who escape hardships and persecutions will always find safety in a place they think will give them a chance to survive. Malaysia has become such a place for many Burmese refugees. Malaysians should regard their opportunity to help their neighbours as a privilege. All they ask is a chance to make something of their miserable lives. They work hard for a pittance and can hardly save enough for a rainy day. Let not history record the day Malaysians turned their backs on their neighbours and allowed their own to ill-treat them.

Let us expose the criminals that prey on refugees and shame the policemen and others that fail to uphold the law but instead bully them. The world, too, must do more to change the political situation in Burma, the source of many refugees. Instead, many foreign governments are closing a blind eye to the atrocities of the Burmese military junta that is systematically wiping out the minorities and their own dissidents while they advance their own personal business interests.

Their inordinate search for material success mean they are prepared to allow the dehumanisation of others. There is a dearth of world leaders among Asians. But there is no dearth of super-rich former heads of governments. We know where their priorities lie and the true worth of their characters. No wonder the nations that fall under their shadows are like them.

If we remain unaffected by the plight of the refugees we risk our worthiness in belonging to the human race. If we claim that we believe in God and love him but show no compassion for those in our neighbourhoods whom we can help but don't, we need to take a hard look at ourselves.

I would urge Malaysiakini not simply to report but to do something practical for the plight of the refugees. Give them a voice and let them know that not all Malaysian policemen are law-breaking scoundrels and that there are Malaysians who are concerned for them. Please let readers know if they can make a donation toward a cause for the plight of the refugees. Let our lawyers help them with their rights. Even illegal refugees have human rights.

When I visit Malaysia and look at some of its beautiful buildings, I spare a thought for all those foreigners who made it possible. Malaysia owes a debt to all its foreign workers. When will the government show some leadership and take strong action against those who abuse refugees? Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and many great leaders were once refugees. If we honour the poor who are refugees, we honour God for he is their maker as much as ours.