40,000 Indians 'missing' in Malaysia'

Nearly 40,000 Indian nationals have gone "missing" in Malaysia after the expiry of their tourist visas, Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Najib Tun Razak said on Monday, indicating that he may take up the issue with New Delhi during his forthcoming visit to India.

"Almost 39046 are missing...These people, who came to Malaysia through the visa on arrival facility, could be back in India or be among people here. They have gone missing from our records," Najib told visiting Indian journalists in Malaysia.

Most of the missing Indians in Malaysia belong to Tamil Nadu. "We want Indian people to visit Malaysia as tourists. We have been quiet liberal. We want genuine ones. They are most welcome," Najib, who leaves for a three day official visit to India on January 19, said.

The premier felt that the only problematic exit point in India was Chennai and that there was not any problems with tourists from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. He said that Malaysia had been quiet liberal in allowing priests and barbers from India to come and work in the country.

The problem of over-stayers is only from Chennai, he stressed adding that is why immigration was not keen on visa on arrival from the southern city.