BRAIN DRAIN

by Nur Suhaila, Nurul Syazwani and Raynu

Brain drain is a process in which county losses it most educated and talented workers to other countries through migration. We can simplify that brain drain is a movement of the academic and technological labor force from developing countries to developed countries or areas. The determinants that influence the intention for people to go abroad and eventually cause brain drain issue. This issue not only in Malaysia but the other countries also face the same situation.

The factors that determinants individual to leave Malaysia is seeking a better career opportunity or to pursue higher education. The factors that cause the mobility of people move out from Malaysia can be classified into four categories which is expectation construct, better educational opportunity, a perceived opportunity and family influences. After that, the issue brain drain in Malaysia, Many immigrant works abroad is because of the high income offered to them especially for a professional position like a doctor, engineer, lecturer, bank executive etc. This condition caused by their expertise becomes superior valuable abroad. Not just for professional and highly skilled position, some position like a storekeeper, cleaner and barista also have an attractive salary and a lot of benefits when working abroad due to currency exchange and labor policy. Lucrative salary has been a dominant reason for brain drain when they conducted the preliminary study on the factors that drive brain drain of accountants in Malaysia.

In addition, according to the analysis through by World Bank (2011) the trend also indicates that the emigration phenomenon in Malaysia becomes ‘younger’, as more people below the age of 23 emigrate. This showed how dim the chances are for skilled workers to return to Malaysia once they leave and how pessimistic they are towards Malaysia’s future. The problem is easily underestimated young people and ‘overlooked ‘by policymakers because these people are seen as less important than the main social group "adults". But if the problem of young people is addressed, then it can hinder the socio-economic development of the country. The government has a responsibility broader and systemic reform of basic education and economic policy for a solution to a deeper and effective can be achieved.