they have choices, and certainly more than able to decide for themselves where they can find security, financial rewards and job satisfaction.
When I was in secondary school, a teacher asked why China exported high grade rice and imported low grade ones. I was able to answer that it was to earn foreign exchange! Of course, China since the sixties, has transformed into a formidable world power. They are now able to import talent and luxury goods.
What we are seeing in Malaysia is the result of political policies over the years which effectively drove away talent and attracted labourers instead. Though we too recognize the problem, the basic problems remain and Talent Corp will remain another 'form over substance' in our denial.
US President Barack Obama is aware of the seriousness of the problem and he has promised to revise the immigration law. He said: "We don't want them starting an Intel in China or France. We want them starting it here."
Obama's remarks have brought up a universal truth, namely the competition among countries is, essentially, the fight for talents. If the US wishes to continue being the world's superpower, it will then need to win the talent war.
Meanwhile, Malaysia, a country with an ambition to become an advanced country by 2020, is facing severe challenges in the global talent war. Two weeks ago, World Bank senior economist Philip Schellekens painted a picture of the current Malaysian brain drain situation:
*The number of Malaysian emigrated overseas is high, with a conservative estimate of about 1 million last year. It has in fact surged by four times over the past 30 years. One-third of them are highly-educated skilled personnel.
* Malaysian talents emigrated mainly to Singapore (54%), Australia (15%), Brunei, the US (10%) and the UK (5%).
* The brain drain problem is serious, with two among every 10 highly educated Malaysians choose to leave the country.
* Emigrated Malaysians are mostly Chinese, accounting for 60% to 88% of the total number. Among those who have emigrated to Singapore, 88% of them are Chinese, 6% are Malays and 5% are Indians.
* In contrast, 60% of foreign immigrants received only primary or lower education.
"However, in response, the authorities would either simply deny the accusation that the bumiputera policy has led to brain drain or ask the people to ignore the racial remarks while extreme racists are beating the drums.
How would talents return to a country which has failed to recognise the crux of the problem and eradicate racist remarks?
We do not deny that the Talent Corporation has made much effort to attract talents. However, the long-term residence permit is not their sole consideration to return. Also, they would not return just because of better incentives and lower tax rates.
In fact, they are looking forward to a more open, transparent, tolerant and fair system. Clearly, the government still needs to take stronger and more powerful political actions, as well as show a clearer and more effective commitment!"
How would talents return to a country which has failed to recognise the crux of the problem and eradicate racist remarks?
We do not deny that the Talent Corporation has made much effort to attract talents. However, the long-term residence permit is not their sole consideration to return. Also, they would not return just because of better incentives and lower tax rates.
In fact, they are looking forward to a more open, transparent, tolerant and fair system. Clearly, the government still needs to take stronger and more powerful political actions, as well as show a clearer and more effective commitment!"
Source:
Wee: Officers failed to award scholarships according to govt criteria
Link
Fighting for talents by Lim Mun Fah
Translated by Soong Phui Jee
Sin Chew Daily
Translated by Soong Phui Jee
Sin Chew Daily
Meanwhile, as usual, PM's rhetorics are not matched with actions by those who are tasked to implement policies...
Wee: Officers failed to award scholarships according to govt criteria
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