Whipping is barbaric
Illegal immigrants are a poor lot and they enter our country to earn a living that their country has failed to provide. Imposing a fine of RM10,000 on illegal immigrants is a joke. They cannot pay it and will opt for imprisonment.
Recently the director general of Prisons reported that our prisons are badly overcrowded. These illegal immigrants will aggravate the situation and place an additional burden upon us financially.
I agree with Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita, that whipping is 'barbaric'.
Lest we forget, the majority of our forefathers may have also entered this country illegally and we may be descendants of illegal immigrants, too.
I believe that at present, there are arrangements with the governments of these illegal immigrants through their respective embassies or high commissions in Kuala Lumpur, to equally shoulder the costs of repatriating those apprehended. This must change. The other governments must bear the total costs of repatriating their citizens. Hopefully, these governments will realise the need to enforce greater surveillance upon their nationals, especially at their borders with neighbouring countries.
As for those illegal immigrants indulging in criminal activities, deal severely with them according to our laws.
