Reading the news on Nirmala's case on my way back to Penang from Beijing this morning, and being a foreigner living in Malaysia, I just couldn't believe that the place I temporarily call 'home' breeds creatures such as her ruthless employers.

The outrage of ordinary people is very much expected and the Malaysian government has joined the bandwagon (even offered an apology to the Indonesian government).

However, I find it hypocritical, just pure and simple lip-service.

For one, the Malaysian government has never provided protection to its more than three million migrant workers. It has even prosecuted those who defend their rights.

Nirmala's case is just a tip of the iceberg. Abusive employers do the same to their housemaids every day and get away with it. The Malaysian government does it to the illegal migrant workers detained in prison camps every day and get saway with it, its political prisoners suffer the same plight.

Thus, I should not be surprised if Malaysia breeds cruel and punitive people like Nirmala's employers.

Human rights are not included in Malaysia's dictionary. Sad to say, it is an infectious disease.