I applaud the government's effort in setting up the Cabinet Committee on Illegal Immigrants which proposed to increase the current fine of not more than RM10,000 or jail term not exceeding five years or both, with whipping included, on illegal immigrants.

I totally disagree with the views expressed by Tenaganita's Irene Fernandez views that whipping imposed on illegal immigrants is barbaric. On the contrary, this law should have been imposed a long time ago.

There are 600,000 illegal immigrants in the country. These people do not respect the laws of the country and they pose a security threat to the nation. If they are here to look for jobs, they should apply to enter the country through proper channels.

Many crimes in the country are committed by the illegal immigrants and it is time for the authorities to impose harsher laws against them. Rounding up the illegal immigrants in the detention camps and repatriating them has now become a joke. At the next earliest opportunity they will be on the next boat to Malaysia.

Singapore has such laws and one has to admit that they are a strong deterrent factor.

I do hope with these laws a strong message will be sent to the illegal immigrants in Malaysia, that it does not pay to break the laws of the country.