Saturday, December 10, 2005

"Brain Gain Programme Needed"

I managed to dig this up from my own archive of old news reports, and thought it's still useful to be highlighted today, if not more relevant than before.

It was reported by Bernama in April this year, that our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak related that "Malaysia needs to put in place a sustainable brain gain programme to attract skilled talents to meet ashortage of about 30,000 to 40,000 researchers, scientists and engineers in 2010."

Were you serious, honourable Deputy Prime Minister?
"While our first obligation must be to nurture and encourage our ownhomegrown talents, we should supplement this pool by attracting talents fromall over the world and ultimately retain these talents to contribute tobuilding an innovative and competitive economy"

Najib said developed nations like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United States and even Singapore were aggressively attracting talented individuals from around the world to meet their own talent deficits. He said these economies were rolling out the red carpet every day for people with specific skills and talents, and giving them plum jobs, tax breaks, venture capital and research funding, permanent resident status and even citizenship as incentives.
The question to ask Datuk Seri Najib will be, for the past 8 months, since this speech was given, what are the tangible stuff which the government has done to execute this "brain gain programme"? And if I were to "re-post" this article 12 months on, will anything have changed?

I think the government leaders, should, instead of constantly harping on a "brain gain programme", be looking first of all, at plugging the brain drain predicament.

If the government leaders bother listening to the concerned rakyat by simply reading some of the extremely agitated comments (not all of which I agree with personally) on this blog, then you can tell that the brain drain predicament is extremely serious. If the drain is not plugged, not amount of innovative brain gain programmes will succeed in overcoming the problem of shortage of skilled resources.

Kian Ming has written on how "racial discrimination" is a major factor in pushing fellow high calibre Malaysians to take their talents overseas. I have followed up with a more detailed example of Prof Lee Eng Hin. The government leaders of the country must recognise the issue outright, instead of constantly skirting around it. They must outline a short and longer term solution to fix the discrimination issues, instead of pretending its non-existence or its somebody else's problem. Otherwise, no amount of talks on "brain gain programmes" will ever earn any credibility.

Kian Ming and myself are just two of the silly little boys who have studied in the top schools in Singapore and the United Kingdom (Kian Ming is pursuing his PhD in the United States at the moment), who have returned (or will be returning) to our homeland to pursue our career and dreams, despite all of the obvious shortcomings. However, for every one of these silly little boys, there are probably 10 other smart ones (or more) who choose a path to other countries which, to quote Datuk Seri Najib, are "rolling out the red carpet every day" for them.

The very first place to start, to show the commitment of the nations leaders in wanting the best for Malaysia, is to rid of the "discrimination" tag in the universities of Malaysia. On then, can the swirling waters gushing down the sink be plugged, or at the very least, be reduced to a trickle. It's not an easy task, but we all need to take the little baby steps before we can learn to walk and run.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very true indeed. I believe that one is not wrong to say that the govt has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING besides lip service regarding the brain drain dilemma. If you would trace back similar comments as the one that our DPM has stated, you'll find that in the years that has passed various individuals have voiced concerns about the national problem of brain drain. But up till today, what has actually been done to contain it? Zilch.

I can personally relate to those who choose to leave for greener pastures. As a local undergrad, I'm seriously contemplating leaving the country to somewhere where I could be given the best opportunity to grow and succeed. And why is that? Simply because time and time again I'd been denied my rightful and deserved places in either govt scholarships or universities whereas scores of 'privileged' people get offered courses because of the racial policies.

I honestly see no future in staying and trying to change things. Who knows, maybe the love of my motherland would keep me here, but my patience is wearing thin.

Anonymous said...

Tony,

It's very difficult for anyone in the government to act. Frankly, any UMNO politician (including Pak Lah himself!) who dares suggest to do away with special privileges will be booted out. And the change has to come from within Umno itself, since it's the majority party in BN.

A baby-step that I think should be made first in UMNO is to encourage party members to constructively disagree. There is still a strong culture both in UMNO and Malaysia that disagreement and debate are not signs of "unity" and "patriotism". Look at the way politicians are punished for disagreeing with the status quo; this is a culture that needs to be broken before any real change will flow through the government.

-andrew

Anonymous said...

As usual, the government scratches their heads hard (which is why most of them are bald) to come out with a temporary remedy just to entertain public outcry, and did nothing in the end. Those were just political tactics to ensure that they stay on power. Furthermore, the Malaysian culture of "tidak apa" has been the catalyst to the problems we are facing right at the moment.

Malaysians tend to forget things easily, as in when something happened, everyone will talk about it, thus forcing the government to come up with something as a remedy. However, as time passes, each and everyone of us will forget what had happened few days ago. Since the public dont care, do you all think that the government will care? They only bother about their income.

By the way, Tony and KianMing, i read theStar today (sunday) and saw the article about "inter-varsity grads", where each unergraduate can obtain their credits from different universities in the country. Dr Shafie Salleh claimed that “For the past two years, the ministry has been working on the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF)..." My question is how and what do you think that this framework will benefit the country as a whole and in the long run?

Thanks in advance.:)

Anonymous said...

Yes, a lot of non-malays in Malaysia are leaving this country. But they (some person) don't care. They are happy that we leave.

I do agree with you of those you mentioned, our country is stepping backward, we are loosing in all aspects and yet overdue and retard ministers are still available on shelf. The ministers think that they are the only ones capable and qualified to be there and not replaceable, otherwise the country could collapse.

Looking at Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq likes looking at this country future. The well connected bumis are getting richer. This government is spoon feeding the bumis at this nation expense. I am sick of this country too.

My advise is let them rot in their own stew.

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Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you who have found happiness in your adopted country.

You have made the wise decision indeed to migrate, and surely you and your family are enjoying every moment in of it in your newly adopted country.

No doubt things are bad back home in Malaysia, especially those who are not born with the right skin color. Given the chance, I'm sure all the unprivileged ones would like to move away forever and forget about the mess back home.

Alas, not everyone is that lucky. Migrating to a first world country is not easy (why should it be?). Most importantly, you need to have money. I'm sure most of you started off your journey away from home with a tertiary education at a university in your adopted country. How many people in Malaysia can afford to send their children to study overseas?

I'm sure you can't emigrate just by telling the Australian immigration that you like their country so much and you were treated badly by Malaysia, at least not legally.

In the animal kingdom, animals migrate for food and water. Similarly looking at the history, migration actually is a natural process in which mankind has continuously looked for greener pasture. Very few countries (maybe none) actually maintain pure single race especially at this age of modern transportation and the world is getting very small.

For those who have migrated, farewell and goodbye.

We do what we can and enjoy life in every moment we have.

Before I decided to apply for migration, I did have the same thinking like you. I was not rich with four kids, I am 100% Chinese educated. I did not give up, I collected a lot of information through Internet, and I talked to those pioneers who came back for vacation. Finally, I applied for migration and gone through an assessment plus an English test.

I emigrated to Australia two years ago and settled down quite well.

There are many different categories for you to apply, it is not necessary you have to be rich. Do not simply give up. Do not blame on other people, or you are a real loser ........

You are very right. There is a will, there is a way!

Time for a life is limited, and we just can't screw around.

Instead of grousing around and doing nothing, you have taken positive steps to achieve what you want.

To migrate or not is basically a personal choice. You decide your own destination.

Best luck to you!

Anonymous said...

a word of caution. don't believe that the grass is always greener on the otherside. while we like to believe so, the truth is not many can adapt well.

most of you who point out that it is "natural instinct" to emigrate for a better life is just plain ignorant. malaysia is a good place to live. there are shortcomings, but at least you don't get shot on the streets for no reason. serious crime here is quite low, except for certain areas.

places like australia and new zealand are even more hostile towards asians. racism is everywhere.

another thing i find quite disturbing from the commenters in this blog. why the racial intonation of your posts? if you are not giving constructive comments, please just refrain from posting. the internet is not as "free" as you think. once you step over the line, expect to pay the consequences. it just shows how narrow-minded malaysians are. always complaining but not doing anything themselves.

Anonymous said...

more examples of brain drain...the former dean of science and provost of NUS is also a Malaysian

see here http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~phylaich/Lineage.htm

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Anonymous said...

The Barisan government has achieved 0% in reversing the trend of racism.

While South Africa has disbanded racism through the government's initiative after the global news onslaught, our Malaysia government leaders are propagating RACISM and FACISM in every way.

In term of racism, we are the most uncivilised country in the world. Look into our neighbouring countries of Asia, they are advancing economically on a straight forward objectives, for their citizens.

Whereas, we are moving in deviationist path, widely off the international economic theory, for the sole objective of propelling the well being of a supreme race.

Mahathir era is over, here we have Badawi. Is he changing the trend? Not a single sign of it!

How about the future under Nazib?

Sad, sad. They have more camouflage in readiness.

No wonder already one million Chinese left Malaysia..........they are fed up Malays

Anonymous said...

"a word of caution. don't believe that the grass is always greener on the otherside. while we like to believe so, the truth is not many can adapt well."

Yes the grass is not always greener on the otherside of the fence, but I can assure you the grass on the Malaysia side is brown and rotten to the core. I prefer to move why dont you stay. Is good stay :)

"most of you who point out that it is "natural instinct" to emigrate for a better life is just plain ignorant. malaysia is a good place to live. there are shortcomings, but at least you don't get shot on the streets for no reason. serious crime here is quite low, except for certain areas."

Malaysia is a good place to live, provided you are rich and have connections. You dont get shot on the streets? Oh not yet, you do get rob here and there even in broad daylight. That is just the beginning of getting shot. You do get raped up left and center. Did you even read the news???

"places like australia and new zealand are even more hostile towards asians. racism is everywhere."

I dont think so my friend. Assumming people in Australia and NZ are even more hostile and such but there is a distinct difference and there is something you can do about it. You can invoke your rights to do something about it. You get treated like 2nd class citizen sure. But the treatment is better than you experienced back at your own homeground soil. Unlike in Malaysia where you have totally no rights to even begin a fight with regards to racial issue. Remember special privilleges?

Pur.Boy

Anonymous said...

The reason why government officials say these things is because
1) They have been able to get away with these party lines for decades. Although, we have nearly 1 million Malaysian diaspora overseas and yet not only have BN/UMNO continue to rule and gain power (not strength) but many non-bumiputras graduates like Tony P continue to return. Validating their views that their policies is OK
2) When it comes to long term issues like brain drain, they are more reactionary than proactive. In other words, unless there is a severe crises, they will not act on these issue. The truth is brain drain is a long term issue not a short term one. It does not solve the current fiscal deficit, it does not bring in immediate foreign investments, it does not help solve GLC problems or corruption problems immediately (although some could argue otherwise or that there is alternative than dealing with the issue).

This is the crux of why this country is condemned to mediocrity. The truth is most believe if not all of them that it will be long long time before they have to deal with true open competition and global pressures. And they believe that when that days comes, by sheer numbers, they will have enough skilled elite people to deal with the competition. Its ultimately the same idea behind protectionist markets with a difference which is that they have a minority to exploit and marginalized.

If the days of reckoning comes, the thinking goes then they will have an elite group that will dominate but it will at least be bumiputras and even though they condemn a vast group of bumiputra to poverty, they believe its OK so long as their elites dominates.

The flaw obviously is that should the country continue towards mediocrity, their elite will not stay either. They may be bumiputras and Muslims but ultimately they are globalized and can adapt anywhere. The brain drain will continue and ultimately reach a crises level where the economy stagnates for decades.

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Anonymous said...

Good article!

Congratulation to all overseas of you.

You all are a great man, may God bless you in all your hard works.

You would make Dr M to cry again. Though Malaysian Chinese students are discriminately barred from entering into the local universities in spite of outstanding results, they are forced to study overseas.

Nowadays, the degrees obtained by these students are widely accepted, they can face the world-trend of globalization.

They are not accepted by their own country, but they are welcome by all countries throughout the world.

Singapore is not that great, but look at Malaysia; lots of natural resources, a larger population, yet still a 3 class world country.

Come on, we achieved independence at the same time……..

In Malaysia, you just need two things for survival - work hard for any given opportunity and have a right religious belief. The rest is history.

Chinese Malaysian have no future in Malaysia.

That corrupt, incompetent and lazy majority will run our beloved country to the ground.

Emigrate if you have the chance to do so.

Well, I am also one of them victim of brain drain……….and all my fellow friends……….

I wish I am not a Malaysian and never wish that my next generations would suffer the same faith as I do……….

Anonymous said...

Is absolutely right!

For those who have been victimized under the Malaysian made meritocracy trap, look elsewhere. Opportunities abound.

Most of the talented people in the country leave because of this exact problem, the smart malays have two options, they can use their skills abroad, do something interesting, innovative,exciting, or stay in Malaysia, learn to abuse the system and their family ties and make shit loads of money.

I left Malaysia long time ago when my mother told me to look for greener pasture elsewhere.

Absolutely no regret. The government and local organizations sponsored all my educational and living expenses here to the maximum I could go.

Frankly speaking, if not for those incompetent, extremists, and brainless leaders and cronies who have destroyed Malaysia for the past 30 years, this land is a heaven on earth.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh… I can feel posters here are turning this forum into a racially motivated discussion…

jump the ship
vesewe
far girl
Unknown
Etc

why do you people complain so much about Malaysia… ???

Oh… don’t you know there are racial riots in Sydney…

What about New Zealand… mind you… there are racial tensions between Maoris and European descendants… (Lets not talk about US... there are so many examples of racial tensions there..... or Europe for that matters..)

To those poster who have settled down under and in kiwi-land… you are so ignorant about your adopted countries. I suggest you learn more local history…..

OK…. Enough about the racial undertones… since you people want reality… lets face the real world…..let talk reality

To those who complaint about the New Economic Policy….

What kind of system do you want… a free fight capitalism where the economically efficient ( Chinese?) can dominate?

Sydney riots… that’s reality…

Racial tensions in New Zealand… that’s reality…

And you people want Malaysia to go for totally free market… free fight capitalism system…..

Anonymous said...

far girl said...

“I have no intention to go back, until I see a non-malay PM…”


This is a very extreme statement…

Perhaps you should be more careful in making such statements… by the way…. Would you dare to say “Abolish Maori rights in New Zealand ?”

Let see if you are as brave as Don Brash…..

Or you are so coward to make such statements about Malaysia since you are so far away in New Zealand….

Apologies to those feelings that may be heard…

Shalom…

Anonymous said...

Malaysians support the NEP to assist and upgrade economically disadvantaged Bumiputras.

However, the way the NEP is implemented leads to lots of abuse - many Bumiputras who had received the benefits of the NEP and who are doing very well economically (better than many economically disadvantaged non-Bumiputras) still want to take full advantage of the NEP, for themselves and for their children and their children's children. They become eternal rich parasites of the nation, all in the name of Affirmative Action!

Let's say, a poor Bumiputra received scholarships that supported his or her secondary and university educations (local or oversea), has a PhD or MBBS degree, is now drawing a big fat 5-figure month salary, and can invest in many choicy saving schemes (Bumiputra this and Bumiputra that amanah saham, with returns of 5 to 13% pa) and Bumiputra shares. So this Bumiputra now has all the educational and economic advantages to be a responsible member of the society, to be on his or her own two feet, and at least to support his or her own family (like all normal working individuals) - the objective of the NEP has been acheived. Wonderful. Good for him or her.

This Bumiputra is much much better than many economically disadvantaged non-Bumiputras (many struggling to survive with less than RM1,000 pm) in our nation. However, when he or she buys a house, he or she gets 5 to 10% discount compared to another non-Bumiputra buyer who earns far less than him or her. This super-rich Bumiputra's children still get all the financial supports and special privileges that he or she received when he or she was poor. Unending benefits of Affirmative Action?

So amir livnet, do you think this is right for our nation?

This is no racial talk - this is the real-time observation of what goes on in Malaysia.

Shalom

Anonymous said...

Amir livnet,

Let's talk about US. At least US has the balls to admit they have racial problems and they have rights to protect those who are discriminated and they are enforcing it a lot better. The way it is run in Malaysia is, this 'you are discriminated so shut up and you dont have the right to talk, we have special privilleges, so let's keep quiet about it while we continuously discriminate against the minority and exploit them'.

"What kind of system do you want… a free fight capitalism where the economically efficient ( Chinese?) can dominate? "

What kind of sinkhole do you come from?
Malays in power are getting so corrupted and they are conducting daylight robbery
under the pretense of NEP to protect the poor bumis. Are you one of those who get excess benefits and claim that the Chinese are taking away your livelihood? Because I can vouch and I can give you 101 reasons we dont. Is free market better? Yes for those who is fit to survive, for those who doesnt depend on goverment handouts.Isnt that how people get better? Instead Malaysia is slouching backward. Like what befair2all mentioned, this is getting out of hand and yet they still want more. Greedy arent they and have totally no shame too?


"Sydney riots… that’s reality…"
Did you even know why the riots in Sydney? Its partly incited by hate groups. The context in Malaysia is different. The context in Malaysia is the majority is claiming they are treating everybody fairly where they are blatantly lying and continously ripping people off for their own greed. We the people we want to talk about it and bring forth the problems to at least have it heard and do something about it, but that wasnt even been done. Instead the whole lot of goverment is still in denial syndrome or power trip. See the difference?

Pur.Boy

Anonymous said...

I brought up the racial tension in countries out side of Malaysia to illustrate the hypocrisy of some of us who choose to adopt these countries as their new homeland and then bash their former country Malaysia for undertaking so-called racist policies. Am I wrong in saying this…?? please scroll upwards… for instance just look at far girl’s comments…. And look in other topic postings too. You find some more...

Oh yes, about the US. Perhaps Pur.Boy has to qualify his/her statement. There is no one voice in the US. In the latest “Katrina hurricane affair”, there are indeed voices arguingon racism. And yet Condoleeza Rice denies there exist racism in evacuation and aid giving process to the hurricane victims. Isn’t that a denial. There are many more denial statements by ranking govt officials but somehow do not gets noticed by Pur.Boy. Pur.Boy it seems is not informed on the complexities of the US political and social system. Be informed and don’t make rash statements.

And about the Sydney riots. The Aussies are proud of their multicultural society and the official policy is that everybody is treated fairly. Yet read the local papers … I suggest The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald… on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th and you find reports on how some Australian Muslims feel marginalised and not treated fairly. And John Howard is in denial mode…

Oh yes… in New Zealand.. the Maoris were the majority. Then came the Waitangi Treaty and over time Maoris become minority…..

And in Australia too the aborigines were the majority once upon the time…

The Bumiputera example given by BeFair2All indicates that you only know how to bash bumiputras and other pribumis. Because in the end you say: “Unending benefits of Affirmative Action? “

My point is, why complain on the Bumiputra who has been given help by insinuating he or she is not likely let go of the affirmative action policies.

So Pur.Boy and BeFair2A. Be informed and don’t make rash statements.

This will be my last comment for a while. Race is a divisive issue. And it seems that commentators here have a presumption dictated by their position in the racial spectrum, rather than having an open mind.

Some of you argue that “ This is no racial talk”… but after looking at the statements.. in this topic and other topics within this blog, I come to a conclusion that this statement is a hypocrisy.

Perhaps, many of you people in this forum, and in many other forums in net enjoy bashing the govt and even the country just for the sake of anger; and not for the sake of improving Malaysia and its citizens. And the hypocrisy is that many of you believe that this whingeing and complains would benefit Malaysia and its people.

And worse, this blog like many forums in the net, has almost become a whore-house of senseless whingeing and complains.

Shalom

Anonymous said...

"There is no one voice in the US. In the latest “Katrina hurricane affair”, there are indeed voices arguingon racism. And yet Condoleeza Rice denies there exist racism in evacuation and aid giving process to the hurricane victims. Isn’t that a denial. "

So you are saying the basis of inefficiency of FEMA is on racial issue? I dont think so. It is part of the top exec both in goverment and in FEMA that screwed up big time and failing to response at the right time to disaster event especially on Michael Brown's part. When you mentioned about racial issue in US, you do get sued by the way. Also I did say you get to fight and invoke your rights in US if you feel discriminated. I didnt say racism didnt exists in US, read carefully dude. In Malaysia you get these things fallen on deaf people.

"My point is, why complain on the Bumiputra who has been given help by insinuating he or she is not likely let go of the affirmative action policies."

Because they are abusing the system to no end and is inherently dooming everyone in the country except those in power. Get it? People have been quiet for way too long about this issue.

"Race is a divisive issue."

Hell I agree to this and this sentence itself alone. Ironically the actions taken by the goverment is inducing racial problem. If you disagree then tell me this, why are others are not treated fairly, starting from the education issue? Why do students with far superior results are not given privelleges? Why do people exercising their rights in speaking are being witch hunted to the ground? Why why why etc etc. From your writting I notice that you do agree that Bumis should get more and more even though they dont deserve it. This sort of mindsets are the ones that only consume without productivity. Sadly there quite a few of high ranking officials thinking like that. Starting from our VC in UM.

"And it seems that commentators here have a presumption dictated by their position in the racial spectrum, rather than having an open mind. "

Presumption dictated our position? What induced us to stand ground on our position ? Is it presumption alone? I think not, else you wont have the issue, BRAIN DRAIN flowing here and there.

"Perhaps, many of you people in this forum, and in many other forums in net enjoy bashing the govt and even the country just for the sake of anger; and not for the sake of improving Malaysia and its citizens. And the hypocrisy is that many of you believe that this whingeing and complains would benefit Malaysia and its people."

Anger dont just spawn overnight. It takes time. It has been over 20 years things like this been happening. People are tired of it by the day. Seems like this is something you failed to notice. Goverment bashing? So you are really soooo generous with your tax money to give it to the goverment while they squandered it on projects with no return. Nice you are the man, I do applaud for your generosity indeed, unless you are staying oversea (which I kind of suspect you are ,I might be wrong). From which sinkhole you crawled out from?

Anonymous said...

PS : Pur Boy

Shalalalalalom dude.

Anonymous said...

I would like to post a question to amir livnet. Assumming it is no racial issue involved. What causes the problems in Malaysia? Like Brain Drain, decline of University standard, corruption and such?
Also you said about for the sake of improving Malaysia, well, what is your suggestions then? You havent presented any suggestions yourself though, you came in downright discredit others by saying they are making those statements base on senseless racial issue. I would like to hear your side of the story what makes you said what you said. You say this is a racial issue, assuming it is not and let's talk about it. You have problems, dont run away hide it in the dark by saying these

"This will be my last comment for a while. Race is a divisive issue. And it seems that commentators here have a presumption dictated by their position in the racial spectrum, rather than having an open mind."

This is an irony right? You claimed wanting an open mind yet when someone shout on top of their lungs saying something you dont like or disagree you ran away. If you dont want any hypocrisy then let people exercise their rights expressing what they think while you express your own rights saying and suggesting what you think and most important of all, THE REASONS why you think things like racial discrimination, special privelleges and stuff are not happening in Malaysia.

Otherwise you are just behaving like a kid who said 'Kalau tak suka keluar dari Malaysia' attitude. This doesnt work anymore and I am not afraid to challenge you on many grounds to give more reasonings as to what you said.

Jake

Anonymous said...

The main problem is the UMNO warlords have abused the NEP to such an extent that the intended recipients, POOR rural Malays, never reaped the benefits Therefore they justified the retention of this policy.

The brain-drain problem will continue on and on until those UMNO warlords acknowledge their role in perpetuating the NEP as their personal cash-cow.