Rightly, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang has urged DPM Muhyiddin Yassin to address the problem of the country’s brain drain at an early stage, citing the high number of top scholars being enticed to go across the Causeway — as exemplified by the case of a Malaysian being Singapore’s top O-Level student this year.
Brain drain has been a major problem and obstacle for the country to achieve its Vision 2020. Official record indicated that more than 300k Malaysians had migrated or applied for migration visa in the last 18 months.
Singapore has been a beneficiary of Malaysia's brain drain for the last 4 decades. In fact, its foreign talents unit has placed Malaysians as the most desirable economic migrants to the city state.
Today, Malaysians can be found occupying the most senior positions in Singapore.
Malaysia's inability to attract FDI is not tied to its incentives. EPU, MIDA and other government agencies (most recently Nusajaya) are offering competitive incentives to foreign investors. Why are they not investing in the country but preferred other destinations such as Vietnam, China, Indonesia and others?
Malaysia's inability to retain brains is one of the major causes. Our policy direction has been both misguided and outdated. Instead of focusing on skills development, brains retention and knowledge enhancement, we are focusing on attracting low-cost and low value-added industries.
When is the current administration under PM Najib going to announce a new education policy focusing on quality curriculum and knowledge enhancement? When can the debate on education grow beyond race and cultural protection?
Any attempt to reverse our declining attractiveness is going to be a long haul effort. Does the government have a political will to do so or is it going to continue to focus on earning cheap brownie points by politicizing race and religion?
15 comments:
As an ex-Asean scholar, I can certainly relate to the BRAIN DRAIN to Singapore. Most of my counterparts were top students in their respective schools before taking up Asean scholarships in Singapore.
After 20 years, where are they? I would say at least one-third (more likely to be around 50%) have settled down in Singapore. The rest? - back in M'sia?-> NO. The rest have taken overseas scholarships and settled in Australia, UK, US and etc. Probably, less than 20% are back in M'sia. They are the CREME of the crop (even during my time in late 80s, most of us have at least 7 to 8 A1s). This brain drain has been happening for decades and is probably the BIGGEST talent pool for Singapore (before the arrival of PRC and Indian bright students).
During Dr M's regime, it was "good riddance" of bright non-BUMI... Now, what will happen to genetic pool of non-Bumi in Malaysia? (my upfront apologies if it is offensive)
I am waiting for the new economic model. Will this be high income low value add economy? This first in the world.
As long as BN is under the control of UMNO,this will never happen.You cant expect them to give up a lot which will mean they will lose a lot of political support.They are still race based party and still many Malays clinch to it for their survival.
To our brain dead politicians, a brain drain is good for. Otherwise they will look even more foolish when smart people rule the country.
Remember the joke about a certain country that throws away its best brains in return for the most UNSKILLED workers even the host country does not want? So will the DPM be interested to solve the problem?
Don't worry, Malaysia can always import ship load of Indon,Bangla,Paskistani and others.
Semuanya OK, every thing under control
What do you expect when an organisation being managed by a bunch of "Best among the worst"
CEO ?
Chief Entertainment Officer.
Spot on.30% of Uni lecturers and
30% of medical specialist in Singapore are Malaysians.Our lost is their gain. Our brains are helping Singapore to achieve greatness and prosperity.Thanks to the " Suka buka seluar,tak suka keluar policy".
Kay Peng,
Please don't bring up this kind of issues anymore, no need to flog a dead cat over and over again. And same to Mr. Lim KS.
Brain drain? No problem! Only Non-Malays mah!If they go better. Look at MCA and MIC having the residues.
tis is 1 of bolehland 'major' export - 'good brains' non-bumis or otherwise. no good for the gomen of the day to retain good brains as these will ultimate cause trouble & threaten 'national aka UMNO' security ...
Anak Bangsa Msia 101
Brain drain!FDI drain!Fiscal budget drain!Capital outflow drain!
Private Investment drain!Big Local Corps drain! Mati lah like that!
Semua lonkang masuk.....
Anonymous,
If you have ability and opportunity to leave the country you should do so. What can a country achieve when the word 'ALLAH' is claimed to be exclusive for Malay Muslims. Non Malays will always be second class regardless of what Najib's slogan on 1Malaysia. Why be second class in a country damned with corruption starting from UMNO/BN, you can be second class in an equal opportunity country. The likes of TDM makes this country a world class laughing stork, why be part of it??? The ass commands more respect than TDM. Move when you can it will never be 1MALAYSIA.
Disgusted
Anak Bangsa Msia 101
Spot on, when SG & MSIA were one & Western Nations chgd their immigration policy to admit better qualified Asians. LKY alerted Razak & was told that's not "brain drain" but "trouble drain" (ref Frm 3rd World to 1st, LKY pg 166). I supposed it has remained as policy.
Hi,
Beside Singapore, it is said to be rumour, and under the skin...
Also Indonesia, long time ago, at my grandfather and father generation (as we are from minority groups)...
Due to oppression of govt of Indonesia, then most of the talented young scholars from minority groups, they went n migrated abroad --> to Germany, Netherland, UK, Australia, NZ, USA etc etc.
However might be around several years ago, due to the flow keeps going --> then the option will be like these:
1. If you are planning to let off ur citizenship (n they know it) --> they will put u under difficulties --> its so easy due to any communications either jobs application will be done through internet --> which is vulnerable for hacking...
They might do something to stop getting better life or occupations, with unequality between the bumiputra and minority --> my friend was told to not work in any government jobs in Australia, otherwise his citizenship will be taken, while the officer told that many of their persons were offered by other govt --> n Indonesia also apply dual citizenship --> so it is clear that they apply it inconsistently, between bumiputra and minority people.
2. You should get marry with people from your own nation/country.. --> it is like human trafficking --> the bumiputra always wants to keep the best for their persons...
I have experienced these problems... by sabotaging
Its also more like battle for the pride and effort to proove that old theory discussed by overseas about "minority persons are more talented than majority is completely wrong"
thus they try to turn the fact off in overseas
Regards
MikeCasey
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