By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The government always welcomes Malaysians living abroad who wish to return home and bring their experience and expertise to the country, with various initiatives in place to facilitate their return.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the initiatives include the Returning Expert Programme (REP), managed by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), as well as the MYFutureJobs portal under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), which offers more than 400,000 job opportunities.
“For me, the principle is simple, and this is something I always remind every KESUMA (Human Resources Ministry) officer. If we want Malaysian talent to return, we must make it easier, not make it more difficult. We are here to facilitate, not to complicate matters.
“Because we cannot tell them, ‘Come back to Malaysia’, but when they want to return, the process is so complicated that eventually they say, ‘Never mind. I’ll just stay in Jakarta.’ That is what we do not want,” he said in his speech at the Salam Dari Malaysia @ Jakarta programme here on Monday tonight.
Also present were Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta Datuk Muzaffar Shah Mustafa, TalentCorp Group Chief Executive Officer Biruntha Mooruthi and Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
At the programme, Ramanan also launched the Guidelines for Applying for an Entry Permit under the REP category, in collaboration with the Malaysian Immigration Department. The guidelines provide clearer and more structured references, with the estimated processing period now shortened from about six months to around four months or less.
“The decision to return is not as simple as buying a plane ticket. There are careers to consider. Sometimes there are spouses, whether a wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend.
“Some have children who are in school, commitments and a family’s future to consider. That is why, when the government talks about bringing Malaysian talent home, we cannot look only at the individual. We also need to consider their families,” he said.
Introduced in 2001 and placed under TalentCorp’s management in 2011 to facilitate the return of Malaysian professionals living abroad, REP applications can be accessed through the MyHeart.my online platform.
Ramanan also stressed that opportunities to contribute to Malaysia need not wait until they return home.
“If you have expertise, please share it with Malaysia. If you have connections in Indonesia, or if you see opportunities for Malaysian companies or talent in Indonesia, please help us open those doors.
“Even if you are abroad, the experience you have gained here can still benefit Malaysians,” he said.
-- BERNAMA