Immigration department loses track of 39,000 visa-less Indian citizens

PUTRAJAYA - A total of 39,046 Indian citizens are “missing” in Malaysia after their tourist visas expired, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The Star quoted Razak, as saying they had gone missing from the Immigration Department’s records, according to a report drawn up in June last year. This, he said, was worrying for the country.

“That is why the department is not keen on visas-on-arrival for Indians as the facility has been abused, especially by those from Chennai,” he said.

He said this in an interview with visiting Indian journalists at his office here yesterday.

The interview by the journalists was held ahead of Najib’s official visit to India beginning this Friday.

Visa-on-arrival facility was introduced for Indian visitors in 2006 but was revoked in 2008.

He indicated that he might take up the issue when he visits India. (ANI)