COMMENT Human Resources Minister Richard Riot, the perfect mouthpiece of Umno, was reported yesterday as saying that the deal with the Bangladeshi government to bring in 1.5 million workers is still valid .

He said that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two governments is still in force, and that these migrants might come into the country at any time - provided that our government lifts the suspension on its intake of foreign workers.

In Malaysia, those critical of the government believe that this "suspension" is a mere charade to appease the public for a while. The tap might be turned on once things have settled down again.

The elusive Riot also said that not all the 1.5 million workers will be coming to Malaysia, as the figure merely indicates the number of workers who have been registered with the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Bangladesh.