Jazeera’s documentary on Malaysia’s locking up of undocumented migrant workers during the Covid-19 outbreak has sparked heavy criticism among Malaysians. It surprised me that the home minister said the authorities were acting on behalf of the citizens and that he demanded an apology from the news broadcaster. My first question is – do the voices represent all Malaysians? Or is the government is shifting the blame on its citizens? 

I am in the opinion that Malaysians harbour an irrational fear of and prejudice against migrant workers, especially if they come from third-world countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. We often question if they are legal workers, but do we ever ask the same question about foreigners from first-world countries? Migrant workers from the less developed world are doing most of the the 3D (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) jobs for us – from building offices to mowing our lawns for very little money. However, their presence cause some Malaysian to worry – unnecessarily – because they believe in the narrative that foreign workers steal jobs from the locals and create trouble in their country. I think these anecdotes are illogical and unreal and the result of our emotional response to the outsiders. 

Malaysians are ignorant that the migrant workers are mostly vulnerable as they lack access to public healthcare, are more likely to die or get injured at work, and are subject to exploitation by  recruitment agents. Some of them were smuggled into the country and they are financially as well as physically and mentally taxed by the effort of earning a living. Cases of female domestic workers who are the victims of physical and sexual abuse do not get sufficient coverage from the national and international media, mainly because the cases go unreported or are swept under the carpet for various reasons. 

The weak economy at home caused them to leave to find jobs elsewhere. Migrant workers should not be treated as inferior beings. Everyone deserves to be equally treated – which is with dignity and respect. – July 8, 2020.

* Aliya Ashiqin reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.