KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysians working abroad are ready to return home if they could get attractive wages and better opportunities here.
And they are encouraged by the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the Talent Corporation would reach out to Malaysians overseas to find out what it would take for them to come home. The government will also allow Public Service Department scholars to serve their bond outside the civil service by joining private sector corporations and government-linked companies.
Najib also announced the introduction of the "resident pass", a document allowing expatriates to reside and work in the country.
Malaysians and their offspring who no longer hold Malaysian citizenship also qualify for the pass. R. Lalitha, 31, a University of Nottingham graduate, said she had thought of settling abroad, but got a job upon her return from completing her studies.
now, a software engineer in Kuala Lumpur, she said there are equal opportunities in Malaysia for those who stand out academically. "Most of my friends went for money and better environment abroad," she said. But she felt a great sense of security in Malaysia.
"With equal treatment and encouraging benefits, I'm sure our graduates won't stay abroad," she added.
Iannis Irfan, 37, who left for Australia at the age of 15 and spent 16 years there, agreed. He did his secondary education in Sydney and tertiary education in Perth before working there in the banking industry. He returned in 2003. "Although at that time the market here was still developing, there were many incentives for SMEs (small and medium enterprises)," he said. Iannis, who is now farming and trading in fertiliser in Johor Baru, said people in their mid 20s look for higher pay and an easy lifestyle. On the policy to attract expatriates, Irfan said this would encourage a more global and connected network between Malaysia and other countries. He said the setting up of the Talent Corporation was a good move. "It is time the government learn what it would take for Malaysians to return home to work," he said. M. Vinash, who is studying at the University of Alberta, Canada, said his homecoming depended on the government and its policies. "I want equality in every sense of the word and the best for me and my future family," said the 23-year-old. He welcomed the prime minister's announcement. "It is good news that the Malaysian diaspora and their offspring who no longer hold citizenship also qualify for the resident pass," he said.
Perks 'will bring talent home'