Malaysia is usually a country ravaged by ethnic and religious issues. But the moment when Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the government had signed a deal with Bangladesh to bring in 1.5 million workers, different communities became united in their collective voice against it - albeit for different reasons.

For Malays, the increased presence of migrant workers from Indonesia and Bangladesh - who are generally more hard-working and industrious - has posed severe challenges.

In the early 2000s, it was not uncommon to read of news of local traders getting into a fight with Indonesian traders in Chow Kit Market in Kuala Lumpur, the latter being widely regarded as having secured a stronger foothold over the Malays.

Moreover, the Malay community tends to see Bangladeshi men as potential philanderers on account of their ‘romantic nature’, ‘art of seduction’ and, ahem, good looks.