Bernama reported what we already know. NEAC reiterated what we already know. The Ministry of Human Resources provided figures that we sort of expected. Everyone is starting to sound like a broken record but nobody seems to want to fix the record.
“We are not developing talent and what we have is leaving,” the NEAC says.
The scary statistics I found in the Bernama report:
- The most recent assessment by the World Bank suggests that firms have become increasingly concerned about information technology (IT) skills, technical and professional skills of Malaysian workers and complaints about inadequate creativity and proficiency in the English language.
- The Department of Statistics reports that in 2007, 80 per cent of Malaysia’s workforce received education only up to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
- Data from the Ministry of Higher Education show that about a quarter of graduates from local universities remained unemployed six months upon completion of study in 2008.
- According to an estimate by the Ministry of Human Resources, some 350,000 Malaysians were working abroad, over half of which had tertiary education (2008).
What does this all say? Are our wages too low? Taxes too high? Maybe. Then again, it’s probably not just about the money, what about the big picture? The living conditions, security, standard and quality of public utilities and amenities, quality of the education system, political stability (and maturity), equitable policies etc. These are the basic needs of society.
Living conditions in KL is quite good, better than the other (two actually) cities I’ve been to (I’m not a world traveller but KL is better than one of them but no where near the other). It also depends where you stay; Bukit Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar, Setia EcoPark residents would probably rate their neighbourhood nine out of ten but those living in Segambut Dalam, Jinjang, Sungai Buloh, Taman Sri Muda, Batu Caves or Bandar Tun Razak DBKL flats would cringe to give even a 2 out of 10.
Guarded and gated housing areas, both legal and ad-hoc are sprouting out across the Klang Valley. Most new houses (those priced in excess of RM300k) would probably have an alarm system thrown in. if you hit a snatch thief who three minutes earlier tried to rob you, you’ll be charged for GBH; if the thief dies, it’s murder under section 302 of the penal code for you. Now, you tell me if this country is a safe place to stay in.
Guarded and gated housing areas, both legal and ad-hoc are sprouting out across the Klang Valley. Most new houses (those priced in excess of RM300k) would probably have an alarm system thrown in. if you hit a snatch thief who three minutes earlier tried to rob you, you’ll be charged for GBH; if the thief dies, it’s murder under section 302 of the penal code for you. Now, you tell me if this country is a safe place to stay in.
Public utilities and amenities? Have you seen the colour of the tap water? The condition of the drains, roads and parks? Even the roads in and around the KLCC area are in an appalling state and that’s supposed to be ‘the’ part of KL! Has anyone been on a Metrobus lately? How many times have we heard stories about cabbies fleecing passengers?
The never ending, on-going debate on the education system is obviously a consequence of the system being far from perfect. If the education system is good, there won’t be that many complaints and having forty-five 7 year olds cramped in a hot and dusty classroom doesn’t equate with quality.
I shall not comment on the state of Malaysian politics except to say that Perkasa is a very dangerous organisation.
I’m sorry for saying this but equitable policies are non-existent in this country. Hopefully the recently announced NEM will change that. But at the moment, getting top grades would not guarantee you a place in institutions of higher learning; it’s all about race. So we should not be blaming these people for wanting to work elsewhere, they are driven to that because they feel unwelcome and unappreciated at home.
So how do we develop and retain talent?
- Maybe if our policies are more equitable less people would want to leave.
- Maybe we need our wages to be higher but this has to be coupled with an increase in productivity.
- Maybe we need better town planning, with more emphasis on the comfort of pedestrians.
- Maybe we need an education system that does not encourage memorising but instead cultivate understanding.
- Maybe we need better public amenities, utilities and services.
Maybe I’m beginning to sound like a broken record …
I admit m'sia is not perfect, but having had the opportunity to live in a few countries (fr poor/3rd world to well-developed/rich), I'd say m'sia is OK.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, we're pretty lucky. No matter how bad things are here, but at least we can move around without being escorted by guards; don't have to take different routes everytime u want to go to 1 shop; safe (tho not crystal clean) tap water; women are allowed to drive and move freely (+ need not be covered up from head to toe); ok-lah education, security & healthcare systems. In addition, our tax system ain't that bad too. We're not taxed on every single cent/thing...no inheritance tax, no council tax & the best thing: NO wealth tax (if we do, it's not enforced).
Some1 once asked why I returned to Malaysia...I replied: it's my home. No
matter how bad it is here, I've experienced worse elsewhere! I feel safe here (not because I live in tmn tun). I agree that things could be so much better here...instead of leaving things to others (politicians etc), we each can play a small part to help make this country a better place :)