Many who are studying abroad would come to the same conclusion at some point that pursuing a career in Malaysia was “never a realistic option” because the prospects for career progression were not as good as in the UK for example where they are studying. They opt to remain in British land.
That is an indication many Malaysians with tertiary qualifications have decided to pursue their careers overseas, creating a brain drain from the country.
And a large network of high-skilled Malaysians are working around the world, with high concentrations in five countries – Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the US.
There is a big gap in remuneration and benefits in Malaysia, unsuitable job conditions and it is tough for foreign spouses and children to get the nationality, PR or visas. Unlike the U.K. or Indonesia or elsewhere.
While brains that return to Malaysia can get a 15% flat tax rate on chargeable employment income for five consecutive years, other issues plague the system. People want to have a career and feel secure for their family.
Under a Returning Expert Programme in Malaysia, there are still restrictions on whether your spouse or kids will ever get recognition and the red or blue IC as it depends totally on the ‘discretion’ of the Home Ministry.
Some have left the Malaysian public service to work in Singapore’s medical university. They claim that the career path for a doctor in Malaysia is more structured than in Singapore. In Malaysia, there is less opportunity to pursue a career specialise in research.
The remuneration package offered in Singapore influenced his decision, especially given the strength of the Singapore dollar versus the Malaysian ringgit.
Race Based Policies?
Another potential driver of Malaysian brain drain is perceived discrimination, particularly among ethnic minorities.
In an interview with The Edge Markets earlier this year, deputy national unity minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal was asked for his views on brain drain and the emigration of Malaysians who are disgruntled with the way the country is run.
“I can be sympathetic towards that, especially the non-bumis, as they feel oppressed or (treated in an) unjust (manner), because they are not given proper chances to thrive,” he said.
“For example, the government cannot give scholarships for everyone from every race equally, for reasons of equitability. So, the Malays have to be given a little more than the Chinese and Indians.
“But are such efforts the sole responsibility of the government? I don’t think so. The private sector should be given the mandate to help the government in addressing this gap.”
In 2016, the Parliament was told that 56,576 Malaysians renounced their citizenship in the previous decade. More than 90%, or 49,864 individuals, were ethnic Chinese.
The remainder included 1,833 Indians, 834 Malays, and 4,044 people classified as “others.”
