The World Bank’s Report on Malaysia’s Brain Drain......and What’s Scum left for the country?

The World Bank’s Report on Malaysia’s Brain Drain......and What’s left in the country?


By Lee Wei Lian, The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — The World Bank’s report on the country’s brain drain released last Thursday showed that the number of Malaysians with tertiary education who moved abroad tripled in the last two decades.

Two out of every 10 Malaysians with a tertiary education opted for either OECD countries or Singapore.

As of 2010, the report estimated the Malaysian diaspora at about one million, of whom one-third were tertiary educated.

It was noted, however, that the estimated size of the Malaysian diaspora is a conservative one due to the lack of information on the breakdown of the non-resident population of Singapore which could possibly have a high percentage of Malaysians.

The talent outflow threatens to erode the country’s skills base and derail its ambition to be a developed high-income nation by 2020, more so as the loss of the nation’s “best and brightest” was not being replaced with talent inflow.

The number of expatriates in Peninsular Malaysia fell by about one-quarter between 2004 and 2010, with all the major source countries but two registering declines and in the case of advanced countries, double-digit contractions.

The exceptions were Bangladesh and Iran which registered a stunning growth in expatriates of 234 and 194 per cent respectively. The two countries now constitute nearly one-tenth of the expatriate community in Peninsular Malaysia.

The report had a survey which posed the question “I intend to return to Malaysia for good at some point in my life” to overseas Malaysians, and 65 of 149 had responded “Not sure” while 32 responded “Agree”, 13 responded “Strongly Agree”, 22 said they “Strongly Disagree” and 17 said they “Disagree”.

As part of the survey, overseas Malaysians were asked what policy initiatives could possibly entice migrants to return.

Comments (4)...

written by AlwaysFair, May 02, 2011 11:37:32

Just change the govt and all of them will start flowing back.Ths running of the country is totally wrong and piece-meal quick fixes will not help because the basic policies are wrong just to name a few:

1) Even to implement English for just 2 subjects also cannot be done just for political reasons.

Then to fix it get more English teachers which is stupid.

2) Lack of meritocracy and expectations of hand-outs breeds laziness and complacency.

3) Lack of trust in institutions which hand out unjust judgements.

TBH and Sarbaini died in custody of a govt institution.

4) Unbridled corruption.

5) Allowing the powerful to use race, religion, sex to undermine opposition. People like Mamak and Perkasa and Utusan are allowed to wallow in racist orgies.

Even those who are here are trying to go overseas for greener pastures not to mention those who already escaped; why would they want to come back and have to endure daily injustice and abuses from the Corrupt Power Hungry Devils.

All those programes to attract back the overseas M'sians are just a sham because as long as the objective is political power in sacrifice of racial harmony, justice and fair society no one want to come back-lah!!

Who wants to bear with the daily shit from shit-stirrers mamak and Ibrahim. ...

written by cocomomo, May 02, 2011 10:06:35

The PM seems to have recognised the need to reduce the talent outflow. However, the steps taken are grossly inadequate. Some of my friends laughed at the 15% tax rate. If that was all they would prefer to stay overseas and pay higher taxes but still have higher savings. The government needs to recognise there are other basic issues involved. The world is changing to be more liberal though extremism still exists in many nations and religious groups. Until the government changes and practices more liberal policies based on REAL meritocracy, Malaysians, including Malays, will continue to leave the country . There should be broad based policies to improve the well being of ALL Malaysians who need help to improve themselves - however these not be based on race or religion but incorporate all Malaysians.

Until the government can really change and practice truly fair policies for all Malaysians don't expect the situation to improve. .

written by NSTPravda, May 02, 2011 09:48:22

Read lah my Oaf inducing, Qur'an swearing pink pouting lips: First, there is not such thing as brain drain, only renegades, trouble makers of the RPK ilk are exported/exiled. Second, the World Bank has been confirmed time and again by mamak authority as part of the global Jewish conspiracy. Third, those who left are inferior infidels, what remains in our blessed UMNO land are like myself smart and handsome, who can do all the thinking for those who wishes to serve me. Fourth, if you don't believe me ask my Cina Toilet sexvideo celebrity. Last, you all don't need brain, so no drain, when Ro$mak and 1Moi, the urbane handsome Master, can do all the thinking for you. For would be immigrants, just check your brains with our brainless immigration people at the border before entering this country and thereafter enjoy. So semua-nya oK! ..

written by red1, May 02, 2011 09:37:16

For the last 5 years 90% of my income come from overseas small stints in software coding and training. Locally not only its too corrupted to do business, there are no main players left to do business with. We find only lots of traders, brokers, con-men, and prostitutes. Since my work is mostly online, I find more economical to stay in Haadyai where gas is RM1.09 per litre and the best tomyam at half the price in Kpg Baru, and i am sure to interview any Anwar look-alike to make a killing