The thought that there are more than 50,000 thousand Chinese tourists who have overstayed their welcome is very worrying. This figure does not include those of other nationalities who have flocked to this country.

Chinese, Indonesians, Filipinos, Burmese, African and other nationalities seems to have made our land their second abode or treat it as a springboard to go to the first world nations for better prospects in jobs and employments.

But one also hears about these foreigners being involved in vice, robbery and thefts which leave the victims violated. Gang-fighting among some foreigners has also hogged the headlines in the past.

On the other hand, foreigners makes good victims for our enforcement officers to extract cash from. The latest news of Chinese nationals with proper documents being held against their will and violated at the Sungai Buloh police station is just the tip of the iceberg.

Abuse of power and corruption against helpless, genuine guests of our nation is rampant. The police top brass' instruction for their men in blue to wear anti-corruption badges seems to be an exercise in futility as corruption seems to be embedded in these black sheep.

There is a thin line that separates genuine tourists from those visitors who come to our country with evil intentions. Nevertheless, it would be prudent if the Immigration Department and police can be proactive in weeding out the dishonest.

To do that, we need clean and efficient enforcement personnel who are not on the take and who work without fear or favour. A strong deterrent policy by the government would aid their efforts.

Unless the measures are in place, the prime minister's call for foreigners who have overstayed their welcome to be traced and sent back home will suffer the same fate as his calls to curb graft and abuse of power, to say no to smoking campaign, to have fewer accidents on the road and whatever other calls all which failed miserably.

Talk but no action seems to be the new mantra of our political leaders who does not have the moral will to stop the malaises from spreading their dark wings.