Yeoh’s achievement an example of talent circulation, says Deputy HR Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The success of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who became the first Malaysian to win the Best Actress award at the 95th Academy Awards should not be seen as brain drain, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Mustapha Mohd Yunus Sakmud.

While congratulating Yeoh, he said that the achievement was an example of brain or talent circulation, which differs from brain drain, where skilled labour emigrates to other countries in search for better opportunities.

"And indeed this is a challenge for us. Because as we know, there are better incentives and salaries out there.

"We need to draft a better strategy to encourage our citizens to return back and serve the country.

"And it is something that we need to work on together," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) during Question Time.

Sim had asked the government whether Yeoh's achievement was a form of brain drain and on steps taken by TalentCorp through its Returning Experts Programme (REP) to bring home talents.

According to Mustapha, since 2011, more than 10,000 applications from the Malaysian diaspora all over the world have been received by TalentCorp to return to work in Malaysia.

"Of that total, more than 6,000 applications had been approved under the programme.

"Although the numbers of returning experts may look relatively small compared with the numbers of Malaysian diaspora overseas, it has created multiple economic spillovers and significant impact to our country," he said.

Meanwhile, in a post on social media, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) said that Yeoh's name was mentioned in Parliament during the Question Time.

"The answer by the minister is that it is a talent circulation.

"Nevertheless, I would like to congratulate Yeoh again for bringing a good name to the country at the international stage," said the MCA president.

Yeoh, 60, is the first Malaysian and first Asian woman to win a Best Actress award in the Academy's history.

Following her historic win, Yeoh has received congratulatory messages from thousands for not only putting Malaysia's name in the world stage, but for representing the Asian community.