Malaysiakini
Dec 30, 10
(AFP) When computer engineer Wan Jon Yew left Malaysia in 2005 for a job in Singapore, all he wanted was to work in the city state for a few years before going home. Now, he says, he will never return.
With a family, a home and a car, he now plans to settle in Singapore for good – just one of the many Malaysians stampeding abroad every year in a worrying ‘brain drain’ the government is trying to reverse.
“I wouldn’t consider going back to Malaysia, I won’t look back. If I were ever going to leave Singapore, I would migrate to Australia,” said the 28-year-old, who now has permanent resident status.
“It’s not about the money. I could have a better quality of life in Malaysia with my pay. I could have a semi-detached bungalow and have a maid there, but I would rather live in a government flat in Singapore.”
Wan, who is ethnically Chinese, is one of some 700,000 Malaysians – most of them highly educated – who are currently working abroad in an exodus that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government is struggling to reverse.
The ‘brain drain’ has a number of causes. Some have been lured by higher salaries, but others blame political and social gripes including preferential policies for Muslim Malays, who form the majority.
Many feel constrained by life in a country where the ruling coalition has been in power for half a century, and where progress on freedom of expression, the right to assembly and tackling corruption have been slow.
A decades-old affirmative action policy, which hands Malays and the indigenous groups privileges in housing, education and business, has been criticised as uncompetitive and improperly benefiting the elite.
As a consequence, many of those who have left are members of Malaysia’s ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who make up some 25 percent and 10 percent of the population respectively.
Najib in December launched a ‘Talent Corporation’ with incentives to woo back these highly skilled workers, as well as foreign professionals, to live and work in his multi-ethnic country.
Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy with a population of 28 million, has ambitions to transform itself into a developed nation by 2020, but a lack of human capital is a barrier to reaching that goal.
155-fold increase over 45 years
World Bank data cited by the Malaysian press shows that while globally the number of migrants rose 2.4 times between 1960 and 2005, Malaysia’s diaspora registered a staggering 155-fold increase over the 45-year period.
“I don’t want my children to go through the unfair treatment,” said Wan, who believes Singapore offers “fair competition”.
“I’m not proud of being a Malaysian because I think the government doesn’t treat me as a Malaysian.
“I would rather be a PR (permanent resident), a second-class citizen in a foreign country, than to be a citizen in my own country.”
Wan said his wife, an IT analyst, renounced her citizenship in July this year, joining a queue of about 30 Malaysians lining up to do so on that day alone at the Malaysian embassy in Singapore.
Commentators are sceptical over whether the government’s latest effort to reverse the ‘brain drain’ will be successful, warning it will be tough to persuade those in self-exile.
“Money does have a significant role but the most important factor, I think, is opportunity. Malaysia is too politicised and opportunities are not evenly available to everyone,” political analyst Wan Saiful Wan Jan (right) told AFP.
In one example, he said, academicians are reluctant to work in local universities as they must sign a ‘loyalty pledge’ barring them from, among other things, criticising government policies.
“In such an environment, obviously those with talents will find opportunity elsewhere,” said the chief executive of think-tank the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas).
Wan Saiful, who himself returned to Malaysia last year after living in Britain for 17 years, said the newly launched Talent Corporation will be “another expensive failure” if it does not tackle these structural problems.
“When I apply for a job, buy a house, register my children for school etcetera, why does it matter what my race or religion is? This should stop,” said the analyst, himself a Malay.
‘Brain gain’ effort
Ethnic Chinese and Indian professionals who have left the country commonly say they felt a sense of marginalisation in Malaysia.
“When I went back to Malaysia, it was a culture shock in terms of politically how they promote the rights of the Malays over everyone else,” said Chee Yeoh, a stock analyst who migrated to Australia three years ago.
Yeoh was educated overseas from the age of 10 and returned in 1998 to take up a position with a bank, but felt like leaving again “almost immediately”.
“I just didn’t feel at home in Malaysia. I can’t speak the Malay language – essentially I felt like an outsider even more,” said the 35-year-old analyst, who took a pay cut to move to Australia.
Najib has admitted the talent issues are “broad and complex”, and will not set a target on how many Malaysians he hopes to lure back under the new programme.
The initiatives include a ‘resident pass’ which will give foreign skilled workers, and Malaysians who have given up their citizenship, the long-term right to live and work in the country.
But Fong Chan Onn (left), former human resources minister who was instrumental in previous ‘brain gain’ efforts, said the government must tackle the issue holistically.
“The government needs to rectify this sense of marginalisation. We also have to improve the mechanism so it can be more effective to ask these talents to come back,” he said.
“We have a long way to go. It is better late than never.”
#1 by Loh on Friday, 31 December 2010 - 7:11 pm
If non-Malays have remained in the country the population share should stay at around 30% rather than at 22% now. It is most unlikely that they will be able to help change the government through the corrupted parliamentary process. But that battle does not have to be declared lost, with the dwindling non-Malay population. That makes Monsterball appeal for non-Malays to stay, and such sentiment is understandable.
On the other hand, if non-Malays are willing to subject themselves to the unfair NEP without reaction, then talents would have remained, and Malaysia is not in such a low-income trap. UMNO could then be able to perpetuate NEP with impunity. The mass exodus supposed to have sent a message to UMNO that the NEP which was utilized to whitewash the May 13 incident and to camouflage the coup d’etat should not have remained after it had served its purposes. But 40 years later Najib still declare NEP relevant. He in fact meant that Ketuanan Melayu is the government policy without using specific words.
If I have to leave Malaysia, I would wish that it goes to hell, since the racist policies perpetrated by UMNO should have the people said to be protected by UMNO suffer more than the others. Meanwhile I wish that UMNO would be defeated.
#2 by undertaker888 on Friday, 31 December 2010 - 8:28 pm
some people think like we are all millionaires which has nothing to do but stay and fight this fight that. we do all we can but we also have mouths to feed. millionaires dont have to worry about feeding mouths, but we do.
so i suggest the millionaire to give away his millions to PR to have a good fight. it is easy to talk big with a full stomach.
some people do think with their feet like the world revolves around them.
#3 by wanderer on Friday, 31 December 2010 - 9:03 pm
It is about time Malaysians realize if we do not act as a single force, confronting this immoral and corrupted UMNO administration, even winning the election will not see a smooth hand over of power to PR. Ivory Coast predicament is a good example for the Opposition to take note. In Malaysia we depend on people’s power, how many will put their lives on the line!
Monsterball, will you lead the demonstration to fight for justice? Stay wise and use your head my friend, I hate to loose a fighting comrade!
A dead hero is no blooming use to anyone…
#4 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 3:03 am
I will be glad to lead a demonstration…if I am chosen.
So I I followed in few rallies an demonstrations and candle lighting vigils paring for arrested innocent ones.
I do walk my talks.
And you can twist my explaination of my blessed richness..into something else..who cares.
I do not need to tell anyone.. how generous I am.
I have seen so many millionaires treating ten sen like a bullock cart wheel …that big…and thee are the real selfish Malaysians you need talk talk to for donations to charities.
It seems whenever someone cannot respond….it becomes my personal matters to talk about.
This is not about me…but migrations.
Let stick to the subject.
#5 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 4:27 am
Excuse my terrible typing mistakes…but I am sure my comment is understood.
I take exceptions for wanderer telling me to take in an old folks home….no matter what he is trying to say after that.
I was born at Limbok Road ..Seremban and Limbok was my great grand father.
I have tasted near death and starvation during Japanese occupation.
AS much as I do admire Seremban freedom fighters…it is a fact…that Seremban at that time are infested with gangsters trying to control the town more than real fights for freedom for Malaysians.
No use to talk of lousy history of Seremban.
Now…lets us again…stick to the subject…and not how great we are.
One have migrated..that’s it…by all means write till you drop dead against Govt…but do not hint nor suggest migrations….mostly for selfish reasons.
#6 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 5:58 am
HJ Angus said there should be no condemnations of those who encourage others to leave.
He is a Muslim and his agree to disagree comment reminds me that he will go where the wind blows.
Good for him…but the fact that he is a Muslim….the sufferings of minorities cannot be felt by him as much as I do.. who belongs to the minority race.
Loh had said it well. If we stick together…our % would have been more powerful.
We are at war with the devils to control the country.
It takes many to see that AFTER 12th GE…but old folks like me have seen it all…especially when Mahathir took over…and it is getting worst.
Yes..at this time…minorities thinking of migrating are cowards or deserters…running away for totally selfish reasons….and that will be my argument for all to discuss or debate with me.
Before that…those that have migrated…please tell me where are you…Australia…Canada…or hiding in a remote village in USA?
This is the time were every vote counts…and for anyone to talk migrations is sickening and sinful to me.
Smart ones taking votes away from PR.. by saying they are “repairmen” and forming third force..this and that.
Why so many smart ones suddenly emerged?
Chinese has a saying…you can eat anything you want…but do not talk anything…just because you like it..without thinking who you are hurting.
#7 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 6:10 am
Don’t worry wanderer…I will be alive to vote at 13th GE.
Thanks for you blooming concern.
#8 by wanderer on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 8:05 am
Don’t worry Monsterball, when the 13th GE comes, I will be there to vote. Make sure you are still able to find the correct booth to cast your vote and place your cross correctly.
I have done my parental duties for my siblings, I have a personal battle with UMNO AND MCA. I will continue my fight, I am no quitter!
Calling me a foreigner, my blooming ass!
#9 by sotong on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 9:13 am
Migrants are not cowards or deserters…they are the builders of great nations.
Due to limited opportunity and gross discrimination in the country….their decisions to leave, this is not a decision easily made by cowards, have provided opportunity for those who stayed and therefore contributed to peace and harmony.
But our so called ” leaders ” exploited the situation for narrow, divisive and damaging politics of race and religion.
#10 by sotong on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 9:19 am
One is no coward by retreating from a battle to fight another.
If they are wounded, they should retreat and recover to fight another fight….being outnumbered, everyone is important.
#11 by wanderer on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 9:54 am
Thank you sotong, one can instantly recognizes you have a bright young mind…forward looking and having a better vision for the future!…unlike some stale, retreating old brains who should be kept in the old folks home!
#12 by HJ Angus on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 10:36 am
monsterball:
63.”HJ Angus said there should be no condemnations of those who encourage others to leave.
He is a Muslim and his agree to disagree ….”
but the fact that he is a Muslim….the sufferings of minorities cannot be felt by him as much as I do.. who belongs to the minority race”
just need to correct your rather presumtious statements.
As I have written a few time already HJ does not stand for Haji and I am definitely not Muslim the last time I checked.
If you belong to the minority race, anyone can understand how I feel as a Eurasian.
Maybe that is why my wife and I decided to educate our 4 kids to become global citizens.
I suggest witers to this blog should focus more on issues rather than indulge in personal trivialities.
#13 by HJ Angus on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 10:37 am
sorry typo:
“writers” and not “witers”
#14 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:02 am
The problems with the mentalities of some Malaysian Chinese is that they cannot differentiate the history of Chinese migrating away from mainland Chinese to all parts of the world successfully …..including Malaysia.
And they cannot differentiate how uniquely powerful they are in Malaysia.
Have no choice or simply too selfish?
Their grandfathers..have contributed to building what Malaysia is today…some can surrender to a political party so easily..with no will powers to say and fight like men.
When I say fight…I mean to sacrifice and not easily bullied.
No no no…these are not cowards in physical sense…but cowards in selfish and conceited sense and mentalities…like hokkien say….”kaki ku kaki”
Yes..these are cowards that dare not confront face to face a racist political party..out to bully his own race….but will fight if his own family is bullied.
Malaysia belongs to them…yet they are also being programmed by UMNO B as aliens or second class citizens….just because they have one like MCA agree to be that?
Yes…many Malaysians Chinese are real selfish and cowardly blokes…can talk big and do nothing to walk their talks.
I wonder if a racist chase that bloke out of his house…will he leave?
Surely not and why so. Because that’s his property and he will protect it with his life.
One say will run and come back to fight another day. That’s leaving the dirty jobs for others to do or is talking nonsense…you go and conclude.
Sotong thinks he migrate out of Malaysia to build great nations and wanderer agrees with him?….hahahahahahaha
#15 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:13 am
You have UMNO B racists and minorities selfishness.
No wonder some Muslims have no confidence with the Malaysian Chinese true loyalties to Malaysia.
All know and can talk so well….against Najib and UMNO B dirty politics…..yet.. when come to real actions…some are like dogs with tails curl in …run away like cowards.
Are they like what I say they are?
Surely not…but how else can one describe such smart well educated selfish blokes…talk great and run like away when needed most.
Yes….some of the people of my race cannot be trusted to be true Malaysians.
They are so selfish…that it is time to exposed them.
#16 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:25 am
I am not including the vast majority traveling out of Malaysia to seek jobs….especially to S’pore.
There is a saying that S’pore is what it is due to Malaysian Chinese workers…..and almost all are still Malaysian citizens…returning home…to be with their families. These are no migrators.
They have no choice but ti go elsewhere to work..but will never give up their Malaysian citizenship.
They do come back to vote against the Govt. faithfully.
Those smart Malaysia Chinese who have migrated or planning to migrate…should study the reasons why so many are slaughtered in Indonesia few years ago in Solo…and so many small towns in Temmangong State.
Yes…some Chinese in Indonesia and Malaysia are having same selfish..conceited attitudes and mentalities…that deserves what they get.
And in Malaysia…we deserved to be treated like dogs…because smart ones run away.
#17 by wanderer on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:37 am
Some people accomplished things silently, some accomplished very little but, singing very loudly! It takes all kinds to make this wonderful world …it is a pity some do no see further than their nose!
The bottom line is, my family comes first, above everything else…if you called that “selfish” so be it or whatever….
#18 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:44 am
OK my Eurasian friend….your point noted…but you DO belong to the most minority of the minorities and your kind was the first to leave Malaysia..from Malacca. So nothing new…if you term it..your children be global citizens.
We are talking about Chinese migrations and the population and their grandfather’s contributions..forbid them to think like that..if the are still alive.
This is not personal. Please do not out words into my mouth.
This is about the future of Malaysians depending on the total powerful Malaysian Chinese to stay united and protect their rights and freedom.
You want to join in …fine..but stop teaching Malaysians to be global citizens…as I also know hundreds of Eurasians are staying put to fight for their rights too.
If you wish to know…I have 2 wonderful children from a Eurasian wife…and Malacca is where I was educated..with dozens of Eurasian friends….mostly fishermen…never talk of migrations…for they have no choice.
Yes…whenever the Chinese have made it good they tend to be very selfish …instead of feeling the blessed Malaysia gave them the opportunities and they must return the blessing by protecting the helpless and poor Malaysians.
#19 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:46 am
Yip wanderer..you said it.
You cannot see further than your family..or your noise ..as you put it.
#20 by monsterball on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 11:55 am
I mean “nose” not noise…and out or respect to LKS…this will be my last comment in this post.
I have said enough and if anyone wants to sideline the real truths to say it….. “it’s natural”…and that what makes the world go round…so be it.
They are the devils that can quote scriptures…not me.
#21 by sotong on Saturday, 1 January 2011 - 1:09 pm
With all due respect Great Warrior Monsterball, your view is as important as wanderer’s.
There are many paths, with different songs, to go up the mountain.
Malaysian of all races will come and help.
#22 by boh-liao on Sunday, 2 January 2011 - 7:35 am
Not all nonMalays r against UmnoB, many r like remoras/sharksuckers, clinging 2 UmnoB
#23 by sojourner on Sunday, 2 January 2011 - 8:28 pm
Kindly take a look at http://www.mudframes.com/projects/exodus. Project details in the website. I’m looking for Malaysians and ex-msians who may be interested to take part in this. The project aims to highlight the growing concern for the brain drain syndrome plaguing Malaysia. I would like to photo document all msians and ex-msians who are currently residing permanently outside Malaysia.
Please help spread the word. I’m sure you have friends who fit the criteria and know a network of people through which I can quickly and widely make this initiative visible.
I’m having a huge problem trying to make this initiative public. I hope those who are currently residing abroad can help spread the word. I would even appreciate if I could be directed to the right resource or people with whom I can further collaborate on this exercise.
No initiative is too small an attempt to effect change. I’m aware I’m being taken very lightly in most fronts for the past 3 months. We can go on talking and debating but I guess, one of the powerful means to “fight” this is through a visual demonstration process.
Please help yourselves by helping me to give me an edge.
@Mr Lim – I’m sure you’ll have every means and resources to help cascade this throughout all relevant MP contacts and their contacts..etc TQ.