Just wanted to quickly post on two articles that came out in today’s NST. The first highlights an ‘awwww’ type story of some elderly foreign retiring in Malaysia, making out their life to be all dandy and idyllic.
I dunno though, sure seems like a thinly veiled attempt at damage control after the khalwat incident with the American couple in Langkawi. (The nerve of someone to insist that two white people in their sixties would be committing khalwat – what could possibly have been behind that??). There was even a listing of Malaysia My 2nd Home Incentives at the bottom :|
I strongly disagree with the government’s ridiculous tendency to try time and time again to whitewash clearly negative incidents or problems away and cover screw-ups with ‘positive spin’. Jadilah ‘jantan’ and face the problem that came up, fix whatever is wrong, apologise if there has been wrongdoing, buck up and press on. That’s the honorable thing to do.
As is oft said: everyone can make mistakes (but jangan sampai again and again, like Dtk Zakaria) – the mark of character is how you deal with those mistakes.
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Regardless of whoever was behind the distasteful damage control attempt, the NST did not seem reluctant to publish on the same day another scathingly critical piece about attracting people living abroad to Malaysia.
This article concerned the Returning Scientists Programme, and highlighted the complaints of Malaysians who had taken advantage of this scheme. Reportedly, many are disatsified, disillusioned, and calling it quits – ie, getting the heck back outta Malaysia. Sigh.
Some complaints listed:
• low awareness of intellectual property rights, laws and funding;
• poorly-maintained and scattered research infrastructure;
• cumbersome administrative procedures to procure research equipment;
• a “perceived gap” in the availability and sustainability of research funds;
• slow disbursement of research funds;
• a closed environment with scientists focusing on their own research and reluctance to share experiences with other scientists outside the team or department.
Sound a little Malaysian to you? :(
It’s not just about attracting brains (or money) from outside. You don’t need silly programmes or incentive schemes. Don’t try to look good, strive to be good.
In this case that means adopting fair, meritocratic policies, not letting religious affairs officials (if the story is true) go crazy, being open minded and not xenophobic, relinquishing tak apa attitudes and so much more. Build that, and brains, investments, tourists, retirees, etc, will all come following.
