While I agree with Mr Liew that foreigners should be afforded the same protection under the law as citizens, I feel it would be unwise to encourage immigration offenders and illegal workers to report crime by granting them an amnesty. This could easily lead to abuse and disrespect for our immigration laws.

It might be sufficient to do away with caning for male illegal workers, but impose a lengthier jail term as a means of deterrence.

There have been many cases of foreign women overstaying in Singapore in order to engage in the vice trade. The authorities should devote more resources towards apprehending and deporting these women in order to prevent them from being easy targets of crime.

Ng E-Jay