MUCH has been said in the media recently about the “plight" of squatters and how they are living in deplorable conditions, among others.

Faced with the barrage of such stories, one can’t help but analyse the issues. As a lay person, looking at it independently from the outside, some key points escape my understanding.

The media reports always play the same tune. It’s the classic David and Goliath tale – the squatters akin to David and the “mean, big” corporations play Goliath.

AS a multicultural, multi-religious country, Malaysia has the benefit of the great faiths that teach us to understand, believe and put into practice the noblest of values.

Excellent among these is the enduring quality of compassion.

The government, non-profit organisations, corporations and individual Malaysians, often working in partnership,
have been in the forefront of bringing aid to communities and countries ravaged by violence or natural disasters.

AS a Child Court Advisor, I ask that we act with seriousness and speed with regard to provisions of the Child Act 2001 to prevent abuse that is on the rise.

Why such disregard for the Act which requires family members, doctors and child care providers to report any child abuse?

Why are we so lax on this law when failure to report can land offenders a RM5,000 fine or not more than two years in jail, or both?

However, teachers, councillors and members of the public should also report despite them not being required by law to do so.

THE past five years have not been easy for the public transport sector. Frankly, there have been many ups and downs — mostly downs.

I can count on one hand the number of successful improvements that I have seen, while the number of failures are countless.

That is the nature of public transport and any other public service. People tend to remember the failures far more than the successes. I prefer to remember the successes.

KUDOS to the government which will ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) next month.

This is an important step forward in line with the 1Malaysia concept of "People First", especially addressing one of, if not the most neglected, segments of the population.

I AM a Malaysian and my wife is an Indonesian.

We registered our marriage in Jakarta in 1999 and then in Malaysia after processing her social visit visa at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta.

That process alone took four months and three trips to Jakarta to settle. Our first child was born later in the same year and our second in 2004.

All these years, we have been renewing my wife's annual social visit visa, but after 11 years of marriage, my wife recently raised a few questions which prompted me to write in.

TRAINEE pilot, grandma die in car crash (Feb 25, pic above)

AL-FATIHAH. Azri, thanks for being a good friend. A happy-go-lucky guy, you always came with a smile and made others smile too. You brought joy and happiness to others. You are a one in a zillion. No one can replace you and I am proud to have been your friend, your schoolmate, your batch mate, your classmate, your housemate. May God bless your soul. — Muz

ILLEGALS found hiding in the ceiling (Feb 25)

THE raid conducted following a public tip-off? Well, I don't need any tip-off because during special lottery days in Klang, especially in front of the Magnum 4D outlet, I will see these 'China dolls' peddling their bodies in broad daylight. Also at some stalls, these China nationals are seen selling tea, calculators, etc. It's like a 'Visit Klang Year 2010' where China 'tourists' come over to show and sell their products. — Do Unto Others

THE Malay Mail will be selecting the best letters this week in which the winner stands a chance to win a Tune Talk handphone.

Each letter must carry the sender's full name and contact number to be eligible. We welcome readers to write in but The Malay Mail reserves the right to edit the letters accordingly.

I READ with delight that from Feb 19 to June 18 this year, there will be a competition aimed at increasing public awareness of consumerism.

This is an excellent measure to not only inform consumers of their rights but also to educate them on how to shop and avoid pitfalls when buying.

DURING the recent rumours on 'missing' Employees Provident Fund (EPF) nominees, I rushed to its Kajang branch office in Jalan Reko on Feb 4 to update the record on my nominated candidate.

Not only were my worries put to rest, my transactions at the premises with a convenient parking area and an impressive counter service were a breeze.

I was especially amazed by the service given by the information counter as the front-line personnel were professional and helpful.

WE wish to refer to your report headlined “Government can’t pay to stop Damansara 21” (The Malay Mail, Feb 12).

The Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister was, of course, referring to the Damansara 21 Project that Medan Damansara residents have been opposing for some time now.

To put it very mildly, it is quite disappointing to read such a suggestion coming from the minister. Safety issues are not for bargaining so that a compromise can be worked out.

KRIS-CROSSING with Allen: We spoke to American Idol Kris Allen about his win, idol runner-up Adam Lambert and his music (Feb 1)

MANY road accidents, especially on highways and expressways, can be avoided if motorists observe basic safety rules and if the authorities give serious attention to some obvious contributing factors.

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) refers to the proposed decision by the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry to take over the issuance of special permits from the Director-General of Perhilitan (Wildlife and National Parks Department).

Having voiced our concerns in the past as to the number of endangered and totally protected species found in theme parks and private zoos, SAM

VICTIMS of Selangor-YBK clash: Serendah residents: People of Serendah lament loss of development opportunities (Feb 8)

TRANSPARENCY is about relying on professional auditors to do their job. It does not necessarily mean you need to be part of the organisation. If a political party is allowed to be part of YBK, there will be possibilities of the fund being allocated only to a certain group of people that supports that party. Please re-look at the activities of the YBK in the past and you will know that they are doing a great job! – Daim