“I think what he (the prime minister) articulated at that time when he made the announcement is the articulation of how many there are overseas. I don’t think it was an attempt to say we’re bringing every single person back. I don’t think that was the intention, maybe it was misunderstood because clearly we cannot bring every single person back,” he told reporters after speaking at a forum on the sidelines of the GLC Open Day here today.
During the announcement for the five-year plan announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak in Parliament June last year, he had said the government would set up a talent corporation to lure some 700,000 Malaysians working abroad back to the country.
The measures covering 2011 to 2015 are aimed at fulfilling the country’s long-standing goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020.
“Our focus is not just on Malaysians abroad, as I have explained, it’s also about seeing how not only whether they can come back but also in terms of how they can contribute from where they are.
“In addition to Malaysians abroad, we are also looking at areas to optimise on foreign talent here. As you’ve heard, in April, we’ve launched the resident’s pass as part of our strategy to retain top talents,” he said. Talent Corp was set up in January to undertake the tough job of wooing skilled workers — both Malaysians abroad and foreigners — that the country needs to revive its stagnating economy.
A brain drain is depriving Malaysia of talent, and accounts for a third of the country’s one-million strong diaspora, according to the World Bank Economic Monitor. Singapore alone has absorbed 57per cent of these departing educated workers.
Only 23 percent of Malaysia’s current work force is highly skilled. Najib said this number must rise to 37 percent by 2015 if it is to become a developed nation by 2020.
Talent Corp has rolled out two programmes. One is a long-term resident’s pass for skilled foreigners and former Malaysians. The other is the Returning Experts Programme, which aims to woo Malaysian professionals abroad with incentives such as a low tax rate. The latter scheme has stirred up some interest.
“We are working very closely now with different key sectors of the economy in terms of what can be done, in terms of addressing the critical skill gaps and forging public-private partnerships.
“We’re going out there in terms of outreach and we’re basically trying to engage with Malaysians, really articulating in terms of what are the opportunities back home, what are the facilities we have. Take it from me, we, at Talent Corp are very sincere in wanting to really reach out and we hope people will respond,” Johan said.
The government had said it has set aside RM30 million for the Talent Corporation (TalentCorp), adding that the agency currently has 25 employees.
Johan refused to disclose the number of Malaysians who have responded and taken up offers made by Talent Corp, citing an official number will be released soon.
“Talent Corp has been formed to look at addressing talent requirements of the economic transformation. Now, in looking at the talents, clearly cannot be just about looking at Malaysians abroad but we also need to be aware of also the opportunities for utilising foreign talent and in terms of upscaling Malaysian talent.
“Yes, looking at Malaysians abroad is part of the agenda, but it is not the only agenda,” he said.
