Muhyiddin : Issue of Muslim braindrain

Extract from Malaysia Insider :
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dpm-liberalise-to-reverse-muslim-brain-drain/

By Yow Hong Chieh

May 18, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The conservative Muslim world must liberalise in order to reverse the brain drain to developed nations or lose out in long-term economic growth and development, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin warned today.

The deputy prime minister admitted that push factors also played a part in brain drain, citing “lack of intellectual liberties and a lack of fair economic opportunities”.

Finally our DPM had hit the nail right on the head. He failed to highlight that this brain drain issue does not affect Muslims only as it is a often an issue of contention on non-Muslims especially the Chinese.

Ask all those who have  migrated or those planning to migrate - there is a common reason : lack of opportunities and non-recognition of talents especially those who are not politically connected , increasing religious and racial issues being played out by extremist NGO's and politicians, corruption as part of business dealings with government departments

Readers and bloggers had contributed their opinions on this issue at Malaysiakini. You will read about their hope and despair, happiness and anger, attacks and recommendations on the country's politics and policies . Links are at :

When migrating becomes an attractive option : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/123490

We love our country but does our country love us ? http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/119240

Dr Fong Chan Onn in the STAR  ( http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/16/nation/6273783&sec=nation ) had given a detailed report  and analysis of this issue of migration and Malaysians working abroad. It is reported that Malaysia's emigration numbers rose to 1,489,168, an almost 100-fold increase over the 45-year period. According to NEAC  ( National Economic Advisory Council )  about 350,000 Malaysians are working abroad with over half of them having tertiary education. Statistics by the ministry shows majority of them work in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.  For example , we often read in the news about shortages of doctors and nurses ; now is reported that  7,431 Malaysian nurses and 4,129 doctors are working in foreign countries. 

This migration issue and working abroad is also compounded by many students studying overseas . After graduation they had choose to remain back . I know of few families whose children were sponsored by JPA, Mara  to do their degrees in USA , Australia and USA but did not come back to serve as they deemed the grass is greener overseas or they prefer the lifestyle there . It is then up to  JPA and Mara  to  initiate any legal proceedings for compensation against these students .

Dr Fong's end his report giving reasons why Malaysians are leaving  - read the details at the link stated above :

> Legislative issues
> Educational Opportunities
> Domestic social-political issues
>First-world pull
> Retain, recruit talents lacking