Malaysia lost half a million highly skilled workforce so far, says think tank
RAIHAM MOHD SANUSI, MUHAMMAD YUSAINY MOHAMAD YUNUS31 May 2022 08:30am
Chief research officer Datin Margarita Predaryenko says globally brain drain phenomenon was at 5 percent in 2000 while in Malaysia it was at 10 percent during the same year.
It chief research officer Datin Margarita Predaryenko said globally brain drain phenomenon was at 5 percent in 2000 while in Malaysia it was at 10 percent during the same year.
"This is a big amount for Malaysia even though it is still lesser than Singapore (14.5 percent) and Hong Kong (29.6 percent)," he told Sinar Harian.
Margarita said weak governance, poor policy planning, and corruption were the main contributing factors.
She added internal factors such as unfair policies and social injustices linked to ethnicity instead of going on merits, limited job market, stress and lack of job satisfaction.
Other reasons for packing their bags were better career prospects, promotions, wages and better opportunities.
"Until this situation changes, we will not be able to reverse brain drain phenomena," she said.
According to a report, those just starting work in Canada earned USD38,000 or RM166,000 while graduates in Malaysia earned USD7,000 or RM30,000 a year.
Those in medical and accounting were in demand abroad. She also said the evolution of IR4.0 in Malaysia remains weak to create a successful workforce.
"Our education system is also weak and is not adequate to fulfill the needs of IR4.0," she added.
