Malaysia's brain drain problem

The Edge:

Malaysia's brain drain problem

23 Feb 2024

Top jobs for Malaysians working in Singapore include clerical support workers (24%), professionals (20%), and plant and machine operators and assemblers (15%), according to a 2022 study by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

Summary

Over two-thirds of Malaysians working in Singapore are skilled and semi-skilled workers — study


KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23): A 2022 study by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has found that a significant portion of Malaysians working in Singapore were engaged in skilled or semi-skilled occupations, heightening the concerns over the “brain drain” phenomenon.


More precisely, 39% of the employed Malaysian diaspora in Singapore were categorised as skilled workers, while 35% were engaged in semi-skilled positions. The remaining 26% were low skilled workers.


Top jobs for Malaysians working in Singapore include clerical support workers (24%), professionals (20%), and plant and machine operators and assemblers (15%).

Another perspective

In fact, the majority of Malaysians working in Singapore, or 48.4% of them, intend to continue working there at least for another six years or more, citing incentives such as enhanced job prospects, favourable working conditions, attractive salaries, and advantageous exchange rates for the Singapore dollar.


While this scenario may cause an adverse effect on the country, wherein Malaysia experiences a loss of skilled talents, chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin suggested a reframing of the narrative around the brain drain, transforming it into a positive concept known as “brain circulation”.


“This shift in perspective means that the Malaysian diaspora will eventually return to Malaysia after a predetermined period, thereby contributing their acquired expertise and experiences back to the country,” he said.


This idea is supported by the fact that only 3% of Malaysians working in Singapore intend to migrate to the neighbouring country permanently.


For that, the DOSM calls for the government to adopt a holistic approach to diaspora management, not just around repatriation but also how to harness their expertise while ensuring their well-being upon their return to Malaysia.


On top of that, the DOSM urged the government to revamp the labour market, so it can compete effectively with foreign investors and foster retention and attraction of employment within Malaysia.


Here's some of the findings of the “Social Security Protection of Malaysians Working Abroad: Singapore in 2022” conducted by the DOSM in collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (Socso).