The brain drain: Should I stay or should I go?

If the brain drain continues, these Petronas Twin Towers will be empty

According to a recent World Bank estimate, the Malaysian diaspora has likely reached one million in 2010. “This indicates a serious brain drain from the country,” Philip Schellekens, World Bank’s senior economist for Malaysia said at the launch of the World Bank’s Malaysia Economic Monitor-Brain Drain report on April 28.

As it is, Malaysia is facing a shortage of skilled professionals. Many students studying overseas are not returning. There are also those who have worked here but choose to seek greener pastures in other countries.

Many reasons have been given by these young adults. Among them are the current unfavorable political situation and policies in place and economic factors that do not support their livelihoods. A rising important factor is that Malaysia is not a conducive place for certain occupations to flourish, like human rights and visual arts.

“I already had an idea that I might want to work in the UK when I came here to study,” said Victoria Low, a 26 year old pharmacist from Kuala Lumpur who is currently working in London. “I don’t know whether working back home would be better, or anywhere else for that matter. I have never worked anywhere else, so I cannot compare.”

When asked what made her choose to work there, she said, “It’s just something that I sort of fell into after my internship and degree. Now that I’m certified to work here, it’s just easier. From what my friends tell me, the money is a little better here too.

“The only thing right now that would make me consider moving back to Malaysia is my family,” Low adds.

While happy working in Malaysia, some of the ones that have returned are not necessarily here by choice.

“When I first left for Seattle to study English, I didn’t think I would want to stay on to work,” said Melissa Chin, a 25 year old account executive at a PR agency in Kuala Lumpur. “It was hard for me to leave my family and friends at all. But after completing my degree and working there for about nine months, I would have been happy to stay on.

“Then the economic downturn happened. I had no work visa, which means I had no work, and no money! Back to Malaysia it was,” she continued. “But it’s not so bad. I’m close to my family here, and that makes up for everything.”

Schellekens notes that to attract Malaysians to work in the country, several steps would need to be taken. Among them are “a revamp of the education system, an overhaul of the innovation eco-system and a reorientation of inclusiveness policies toward merit and policy thrusts that are well reflective of Malaysia’s transformation programmes”.

“Action” like the recent 15 per cent tax incentive is a poor bait to lure professionals back. The Malaysian government and public institutions at large will need to work on a sensible plan and soon, as young adults like us are still leaving in droves. These steps will take years, even decades to be implemented successfully. The rewards, however, will be a powerful, talented workforce that will make Malaysia a country to be reckoned with.

(By Alia Ali)