I would like to comment on Orangutan's letter Where are the millions of missing visitors? which touched visitors who have entered Malaysia but have not departed yet. I suspect that it is the inefficiency of the Immigration Department (as with all government departments) that has resulted in these misleading figures.

For example, if a tourist is allowed to come in for a period of two weeks, after how long do you think the embarkation card is tallied with the disembarkation card? I wouldn't be surprised if it is after a period of more than six months.

I am saying this as I have received acknowledgment cards from government departments after more than four months. And this card is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of enquiry, not to say that it is being processed. The processing may take anything from one year to several years.

Furthermore, I won't be surprised if a large proportion of the embarkation/disembarkation cards are not tallied at all. Mostly likely, you might find them in some storeroom waiting to be processed.

Perhaps, someone can be sent to China and Indonesia and the other countries to check with immigration authorities whether their nationals have returned home. I am sure we may find a more accurate figure.

C'mon, Pak Lah, I am sure you are aware of this after being in government service for the better part of your life.