During the prime-time newscasts on the nights of Nov 14 and 15, one of the major TV stations (TV3) carried a report on the "... mass congregation at the more prominent tourists spots all over Kuala Lumpur by migrant workers ..." together with negative comments on the phenomenon made by Malaysians who chose to also visit the same spots during the recent long holiday period.

Remarks attributed to the Malaysians interviewed and aired by the station implied that the presence of such a large number of migrant workers whiling away their time at these spots is a 'menace' and 'threat' to Malaysians and the nation!

In my mind, such an attitude smacks of a blatant and unfounded sense of intolerance and lack of human decency on the part of these Malaysians.

As long as these migrant workers are present in this country legally , and do not partake in any criminal or intimidatory actions against others visiting the spots, then they too have the same right to be there as Malaysians.

Are we trying to imply that, while we desperately need their labour and sweat to build our massive infrastructure and development projects (and mind our kids and infirm old folks in our own houses) we ought to deny them a basic right to visit such spots, which were designed and built primarily as an attraction for 'foreigners' to come and visit!

Malaysians are well known to have been vociferous and in the forefront of opposing apartheid during the old South African regime, speaking out against 'injustices' perpetrated by white Americans against the African-Americans in the US and against similar injustices elsewhere.

Yet, we make strong protestations to migrant workers spending their free time away from their homes, even though they are not bothering or disturbing anyone during long periods of (religious) holidays by visiting spots built for such purposes by our government.

What has become of our sense of fair play and the generally accepted Malaysian traits of tolerance and kindness?

I wonder whether the indignant reactions by Malaysians to such a phenomenon would be the same if those migrant workers were Caucasians.

Most probably, in such a case we'll find the TV station interviewing them and seeking their opinion on the grandiosity and beauty of the spots.