呈辞国会议员风波

报章已不只一次报道有关事件，而我也曾多次公开解释辞职的经过。我当初选择总辞谢罪，即已表明我愿承担的决心，绝对没有如他人所言，心存误导群众的意图。

2008年1月2日
我呈信向首相和马华总会长拿督斯里黄家定辞去所有党职和官职。于同日召开记者会宣布总辞。我的呈辞随着首相接纳信件后即日起生效

2008年2月初
我接获国会下议院副议长拿督林时清通知，虽然国会已收到我的辞职信副本，但我的国会议员资格仍然生效

2008年2月6日
我致函国会，查询我的国会议员资格。

2008年2月13日前
我收到国会一封志期2月11日的回函，通知我必须以书面向议长呈辞，才能生效

2008年2月13日
议长宣布解散国会。我尚未来得及写信向国会呈辞，国会已经解散。换言之，我的议员资格也自动失效

针对他人的批判和人身攻击

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• 有关光碟的事件，事发后首相和副首相已指示全国总警长亲自率领调查，身为当事人我比任何人更了解警方的调查进展。在调查期间，警方也扣查20多个人。这也已是一年前的事。
• 我不会再回应任何人对我展开的人身攻击。我已经超越这一切。
• 我会继续扮演我的角色，履行我的职务。我必须向所有代表和党员交代，以不辜负他们对我的期望和支持。在这个艰难的时刻，华社期望马华领袖协助他们和国家渡过经济萧条难关，经济课题才是他们最大的关注。
• 代表和党员投选领袖来为他们解决问题，不是制造问题。
• 我不会以价值来评断个人，我和别人合作的基础，在于取人之长补己之短。我只看别人的优点来寻求合作。
• 至于坊间的种种流言，我也不会再回应。我已经很透明化处理一切事情，我认为我应该继续向前迈进，专注服务和工作。
  
  

Pre-Marital HIV Test/ 强制性婚前爱滋检验

马华政府政策监督局记者会
日期：2008年12月31日

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为了控制爱滋病毒蔓延，政府强制穆斯林须进行性婚前检验。目前，有些方面建议当局应强制非穆斯林也须进行婚前爱滋病检验，各造正为此争论不休。

马华政府政策监督局认为，非穆斯林婚前进行爱滋病检验，应该是自愿而非被强制这么做。

强制婚前检验措施其实并不能有效控制爱滋病扩散和蔓延。因为：

1)只有被检验当下才有效。患者虽被检验出患病，但若他过后仍继续发生没有安全措施的性行为，将会有更多人继续被传染。

2)在马来西亚，患者资料的保密程度让人担忧。因为许多接受检验的夫妇很可能是潜在的患者，而处理检验的则是普通的医务人员，因不小心泄露资料或提供不实讯息，将对当事人带来打击。

3)动用太多人力、财力和资源，惟效果不大。一般上，每一万接受检验的人群，只有约5％的成功检测个案。与其这样，不如利用有限的资源，进行以下助益更大的项目：

• 为爱滋病辅导专员提供辅导
• 为医务人员提供爱滋病管理和医疗培训
• 用以爱滋病的治疗
• 赞助爱滋病醒觉和教育活动
• 推动已证明有效的减害计划和美沙酮替代替代疗法

4)政府的目标不仅是检验爱滋病个案，更重要的必须实行有效的爱滋病管理，而辅导和教育就是必要的项目。这可能需要改变病患的举止心态和工作模式。目前，我们却没有足够的资源专业地展开这些工作。

因此，我们更迫切需要资源为医务人员和辅导专员提供专业培训。若没有良好的管理和治疗，纵是成功检验爱滋病个案，也无法有效遏制病疫继续蔓延。

根据国际爱滋病患人权指南，以爱滋病患必须进行检验并出示检验证书作为授准结婚的先决条件，已经违反了病患的人权，也侵犯了病患结婚的权力。

最近有一位州务大臣甚至建议所有爱滋病患必须隔离，这种想法只突现他对爱滋病一无所知。

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Press Statement

As part of its effort to control the spread of HIV, the government has introduced mandatory pre-marital HIV test for Muslims. 

Now, there is an ongoing debate about extending this mandatory pre-marital HIV test to Non-Muslims.

MCA Government Affairs Monitoring Bureau is of the view that for Non-Muslims, it should be voluntary and not by compulsion.

Mandatory pre-marital HIV test will not control the spread of HIV effectively. Why?

1) It is only good at that point of time of testing but often give rise to a false sense of security.  The sexual behaviour after test is more important since the high-risk individual will continue to be exposed to the risk of infection.

2) In the Malaysian setting, we are worried about the confidentiality since many prospective couples are involved in the tests. A lot of these cases will be handled by mid and low level medical staffs.  The social stigmatism because of leaked or false information can be tremendous.

3) A lot of manpower and financial resources are committed to detect often very few cases.  The pick up rate is low, about 5 per 10,000 cases.  These limited resources should be used for:

a) Training of counselors

b) Training of medical staff

c) Treatment of HIV cases

d) Funding for HIV education

e) The Harm Reduction and Methadone Replacement Therapy that have proven to be effective.

4) Often it is not just detecting a HIV case.  Of more importance is the counselling and education that is required as part of the management.  It may require the change of job and behaviour pattern of the patient.  We just do not have the resources to do this professionally as yet. 

Hence, resources for training the counsellors and medical staffs become more urgent than premarital HIV tests.  A detected case of HIV without proper treatment and management will not prevent the spread of HIV infection. 

In regards to human rights, the international guideline on HIV/Aids and Human Rights states clearly that the right of people living with HIV is infringed by mandatory premarital testing and or the requirement of AIDS - free certificate as a pre-condition for the grant of marriage license under state law.  This implicates the right to marry.

One state MB went as far as to suggest that HIV carrier should be quarantined.  This just illustrates the level of ignorance even among our leaders about HIV.

Dengue & Chikungunya Outbreak 骨痛热症与基孔肯雅症

马华政府政策监督局记者会

日期：2008年12月31日

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截至12月31日，我国的骨痛热症病例肯定将超过4万6千宗。直至12月15日，骨痛热症的死亡病例已经达到106宗，相比于去年97宗，增加了9宗。

在马来西亚，骨痛热症是一种常见的疾病。此疫症也不容易受到控制，因为黑斑蚊繁殖力强，特别是在多雨的热带地区更容易大量繁殖。

卫生部和地方政府也在尽力控制骨痛热症蔓延，不过，有关当局目前所采取的措施并

不足够:

1)教育宣传不足。电子和平面媒体应该加强报道骨痛热症和基孔肯雅病症的传染途径、症状等讯息，解释两种病症的联系。很多人不知道，这两种病症都是由黑斑蚊传染。若被带有基孔肯雅病毒的毒蚊叮咬，病人会被传染基孔症。

2)有关当局应在各州和总部委任指定官员，每周向媒体汇报疫情进展，一旦爆发疫症，公众必须立即受通知以相互配合。因为缺乏讯息，坊间不断流传不实的死亡病例和投诉个案，造成人心惶惶。

3)迄今，基孔肯雅病例已达到4千宗，创下国内有史以来最高，但却很少人了解和知道这种病症的存在。由于这是由外传入的疾病，卫生部必须加强教育公众如何防范。

4)卫生部应以身作则，尤其在骨痛热症黑区率领地方政府启动防范措施，系统化展开防范和教育运动，而非在事发后才有所行动。

5)我们发现在许多容易滋生蚊虫的地方都没有定期进行清理。由于人民不主动参与清洁运动，这项任务被迫落在地方政府和卫生局身上。

换言之，有关当局选择低调处理、默不做声或责怪人民，都无助于控制疾病继续蔓延。有关疾病不会因此消失。

人民想要看到卫生部和地方府给予关注，以及主导防范和应对措施。此外，当局也应长期举办教育和资讯展览，灌输正确资讯。

人民希望政府领导他们，及解决他们的问题，而不是后知后觉，或等事情发生后才采取行动。

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Press statement

The number of Dengue cases by the end of the year will surely exceed 46,000 cases.

Death by the 15^th December 2008 was 106 cases, compared to 97 cases last year.

Dengue fever is an endemic disease in our country.  It is not an easy disease to control since mosquitoes breeds easily especially when the hot spells is interspersed with heavy rainfall. 

While the MOH and local authority are doing its best to control Dengue and also Chikungunya, it should be doing more.

1) There is lack of publicity in the media, both print and electronic, about the disease. The media should educate the public about the difference between Dengue and Chikungunya disease, as many are not aware of it.

2) A designated officer should be appointed both at the state and HQ level to brief the media every week.  The public needs to be notified about the epidemic and its co-operation is important.  

Because of lack of information, there are also rumours about death and all sorts of complications and this has struck fear among the Rakyat.

3) Very few people have heard of Chikungunya although the number of cases reported is about 4000.  Since this is an imported disease, the MOH have to be more proactive in educating the public. Chikungunya cases reported this year is the highest ever recorded in the country.

4) MOH has to lead by example to the local authority, where most cases of the Dengue are reported, of which the disease prevention exercises and awareness education should be carried out systematically, not doing it only after the disease spreads.

5) We notice a lack of gotong royong session of clearing up potential breeding places of mosquitoes.  The rakyat often do not play an active role and the Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) as well as the Local Health Authority has to take charge. 

We cannot control an ongoing epidemic by being low key and air of silence.  The disease will not blow away. 

Blaming the rakyat’s  “tidak apa attitude” will not change the course of the epidemic. The rakyat want MOH and local authority to show leadership and concern. 

Education and public exhibition should be an on going exercise. 

The rakyat want the government to provide leadership and solution to their problems.

Beta Agonist, again?又闻长肉剂

马华政府政策监督局记者会

日期：2008年12月31日

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马华政府政策监督局赞同卫生部和兽医局查封涉用长肉剂的猪场。

既然是食物安全课题，卫生部则必须严谨处理。虽然目前仅少数猪农涉及，但却足以破坏整个行业的形象，动摇消费者的信心。

卫生部和兽医局应该：

1)严防有长肉剂的猪肉公开在市场售卖，至少隔离检验疑有长肉剂猪只一段时间，防止毒猪流入市场。

2)公布涉及使用长肉剂的猪农名字

3)重犯3次者应吊销其执照

4)禽畜业总会应实行自我管制条例，取消违法业者的会员籍

5)卫生部和兽医局须确保所有执法官员具有专业学识，以进行调查工作

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Press statement 

We fully support the latest action by MOH and Veterinary Department against pig farmers who abused the usage of Beta Agonist in pig rearing. 

Since this is a food safety issue, the MOH have to be stringent in dealing with this abuse. 

Although only a small number of pig farmers are involved, it will tarnish the image and shake the confidence of consumers about pork consumption. 

The MOH and Vertinary Department should:

1) Prevent the tainted pigs being sold in the open markets - for a fixed period.   A quarantine or blockage is necessary to enforce this ruling;

2) Name of farms involved in the abuse should be announced.

3) A repeated offender (3X) should have his license revoked.

4) The Livestock Association should practice self-regulation by expelling the farmers involved if they are members of the association.

5) MOH and Vertinary Department should ensure its enforcement officers are professional in its investigation.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 圣诞快乐！

A lot of people are away for Christmas and for end of the year holiday.

I must admit that I am also infected by the holiday mood. So, I’ll be blogging less and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year more. Thank you. 

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圣诞将近，每年的这个时候，许多人都纷纷告假迎接圣诞和元旦新年。

 

城中喜气萦绕，我也深深感受到这份浓郁的欢愉气息。

 

这几天我将无法定时更新部落格，望请见谅。在此祝贺大家：

 

圣诞快乐， 2009新年快乐！

Video: IJN Privatisation and the Challenge of Malaysia Healthcare

Live Interview from Astro Awani Channel 501

Date: 22-12-2008

Time: 8.30pm

Topic: IJN Privatisation & The Challenge of Malaysia Healthcare

HIV and Harm Reduction

I am glad to read that the HIV cases have dropped drastically since the introduction of Harm Reduction Program in 2005.

I recalled vividly the amount of resistance that I have to face from all people when I first brought up this issue in the Cabinet in 2005.

I was called by one Menteri Besar of a PAS government that I was probably the most stupid Health Minister that this country has ever had.

Since under the Needle Exchange program, the MOH has been giving needles and condoms to high-risk individuals and HIV carriers. A lot of people reacted with horror to my suggestion although it is proven to be successful in many other countries.

I must admit some of the resistance came from Ministry of Health officials who think that this is religiously correct to oppose to the Harm Reduction project.

To ensure that the Harm Reduction program is a success, I also push for Methadone replacement therapy for the addicts who constitute the main source of HIV infection thru the sharing of needles.

Under the Methadone replacement therapy, the drug addicts are no longer dependant on the needles but of oral intake of liquid methadone.

In this respect, I must thank the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for their strong political will and support to the program.

It was with their support that the program was able to push through the Cabinet and the special committee on HIV.

Today, I am glad to know that the number of HIV cases has dropped from 6756 cases in 2003 to 3452 cases (end of this year).

In order to sustain these successes, it is important that there should be:

1) Education with greater awareness

2) Treatment

3) Counseling

4) Funding

5) Training of MOH health personnel and counselors

6) Continuous close work with NGOs especially the AIDS council and supporting group

7) Political commitment and common sense.

We cannot depend on pre-marital mandatory HIV testing to control HIV infection. It is only good at that point of time and provides a false sense of security.

It is education and awareness of HIV spread that is more important.

The logistic involved in mandatory testing is huge and the pick-up rate is low, which is about 5 cases per 10, 000 testing. These resources should be used for counseling and treatment of HIV patients.

A lot of HIV patients are not captured in our usual medical services provider and are poorly managed.

A better understanding of its mode of transmission of HIV and its prevention is the best tool to fight HIV, not mandatory pre-marital testing.

With better understanding, individual will go for testing voluntarily.

There must be confidentiality and follow-up management if test is positive.

减害计划（Harm Reduction）自2005年实行以来，爱滋病例明显地大幅度减少，对此我觉得欣慰不已。

还记得在2005年,我首次向内阁提呈“减害计划”的建议时，受到多方极力反对。一位回教党州务大臣甚至拨电予我，斥责我是有史以来最笨的卫生部长。

卫生部推行的针筒交换计划，是为吸毒者和爱滋病带菌者等高风险群体分发针筒和安全套。目的并非鼓励这些人士吸毒和性交，而是减少通过共用针筒和性行为传染爱滋病。尽管针筒交换计划证实在多个国家取得成功，但国内人士却对我提出这项建议感到可怕。

我必须承认，在卫生部也有一些官员基于宗教因素而反对“减害计划”。为了确保“减害计划”奏效，我也争取以美沙酮替代疗法为因共用针筒而感染爱滋病的的吸毒者进行治疗。

美沙酮替代疗法，是让吸毒者口服液体美沙酮取代注射，摆脱对针筒的依赖。

上述计划得以推行，我必须感谢首相和副首相的支持。在两位最高领导的全力支持下，有关计划才能在内阁会议和爱滋病特委会获得通过。

今天，我很高兴国内的爱滋病例再次减少，截至今年年杪，爱滋病已降至3452宗，相比于2006年的6756宗少了3304宗。

要持续这项成就，以下因素缺一不可：

1) 教育

2) 治疗

3) 辅导

4) 资助

5) 为卫生部医药人员和辅导员提供培训

6) 与非政府组织，特别是大马爱滋病理事会和爱滋病支援组织持密切合作

7) 政治承诺和基本常识

我们不能依靠强制性婚前检验来预防爱滋病疫，更重要的是教育群众。

要实行婚前检验需要庞大的后勤，而且事倍功半，成效不大，在每1万接受检验的人群当中，平均只检测出5宗感染爱滋病病例。既如此，不如善用这些资源为爱滋病患提供治疗和辅导。

强制婚前检验不是打击爱滋病的最佳方法，了解病毒的传播途径，掌握防范措施才是最有效的做法。只有增进对爱滋病的了解，人们才会主动接受检验和防范。

此外，若证实被感染，医院和有关当局必须高度保密病人的一切资料，这是保护和照顾病人的基本责任。

Bravo to the government!

Finally, the common sense prevails. Bravo to the government! I have just been informed that the Cabinet has decided to put on hold the decision of selling of IJN stakes to Sime Darby.  

IJN Dollars and Cents

IJN is the nation’s premier cardiovascular disease treatment centre. As I’ve said before, it is one of those national institutions that have done much to improve the government’s public image. It projects the image of Malaysia Medical professionals that when given the right environment, they can be top class too.

Over the years, IJN has become the national referral centre for cardiovascular disease. It is often also a referral centre for private hospital since it is safer to have a heart disease that requires surgical intervention to be done by public institution rather than private institution with all the risks involved.

We must admit that IJN has done well despite all constraints. I’ve been given to understand that annually, IJN treated about 150, 000 patients of which 70% are government servants.

In short, it provides healthcare services to the poor and for those who can afford to pay; they pay at a more competitive rate.

Every year, the government spends about RM10 billion of healthcare services for this country. I am not even talking about government expenditure per year for development. What the government collects is just a paltry sum of RM200 million.

Healthcare services is heavily subsidized. I for one believed that in the long term, this is not a sustainable option and one of the options is to introduce Healthcare Financing Scheme, which I tried hard to push when I was the Minister but got boiled down by bureaucratic red tape.

Hence, it never sees the light of the day.

IJN is heavily subsidized by the government. About RM200million a year is paid by the government to IJN in order to provide affordable services to the poor and government servants.

While this is not a small figure, the goodwill generated by the government to the rakyat is tremendous. Politically, the impact is huge and when compared to the National Health budget; it is only about 2.5%.

Now, we are confronted with what looks like a done deal that IJN is bought over by a GLC company.

I’ve said before and I will say it again, almost all privatized organizations are often not done the way that it should be done.

To ensure that the private sector’s bottom line is taken care of, Sime Darby’s acquisition of IJN stakes will not go down well with the rakyat unless the social responsibility of the government in affordable healthcare services is taken over by Sime Darby as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

In other words, the government will continue to pay Sime Darby the sum they are paying now to IJN for the poor and government servant. Otherwise, the government will lose a lot of goodwill because the government of the day is seen to be more concern with dollar and cents than the welfare of rakyat.

Hence, it is important that Sime Darby continue to discharge the duty of the government for providing treatment to the poor and government servants despite after it has been privatized.

The Health Minister’s promise to regulate the fees sounds hollow since the private hospital’s fees are also regulated but we have heard of horror stories of exorbitant fees charged by private hospitals.

I had openly raised this when I was the Health Minister of the commercialization of healthcare and hence, its bottom line becomes crucial to private sector. Often, the poor patient is at the receiving end and the government’s regulations become a toothless tiger.

So, I hope that the government will reconsider its decision of privatizing IJN. If it so decides to proceed, please do not neglect the poor and government servants. We will lose a lot of goodwill and votes to BN if not done properly.

国家心脏中心（IJN）是我国首屈一指的心血管疾病医疗中心。正如我过去所说，国家心脏中心是其中一间成功建立良好信誉和公共形象的国家机构。该机构展现了大马医药专才的优秀水平，证明只要有发挥的机会，我国专才也可以由超水平的表现。

多年来，IJN已成为国家心血管疾病主要的医疗中心，包括来自私人医院的转荐，这是因为心脏疾病面对的手术和治疗风险相对较高，而由IJN心血管专科诊治比私人医院较安全。

我们必须承认，尽管面对许多限制，国家心脏中心却达到不错的成就。据我了解，该中心每年的病人人数高达15万人，其中70％是公务员。换言之，它以更低的收费，让许多贫穷和负担能力有限的人士享获医疗服务。

政府每年在医药服务的花费高达100亿令吉，这还不包括每年的发展开支。而政府所收取的医药费却仅仅是2亿令吉。

在我国，医药保健服务是大量获补贴的领域。我个人认为，长远来看这并不能够持续下去，所以有必要实行医疗融资计划。当我还是部长时，就曾竭力推动这项计划，惟因官僚和繁文缛节之阻而无法落实。

国家心脏中心也获得政府大量补贴。政府每年拨款2亿令吉予该中心，为贫穷的病人提供这方面的医疗服务。2亿令吉并非小数目，但却能为国家带来巨大的商誉。

现在，国家心脏中心面临可能被一间官联公司收购的命运。

我曾经说过，几乎所有企业，一旦被私营化后将和原来的经营方针背道而驰。

森那美集团收购国家心脏中心股权的计划绝对不受人民欢迎，人民也不会赞成私营化，除非该集团愿意杠下政府对社会的责任，承诺目前政府所实行的补贴在私营化后，由该集团持续支付，以确保人民享受可负担的收费。

因此，若森美那集团要收购国家心脏中心，那它必须确保持续履行政府的职务，提供补贴继续让穷人和公务员享有低收费的医药服务。

国家心脏中心私营化新闻见报后，卫生部长 承诺会监督收费的言论未免空洞缺乏诚意，因为目前既已有条例监管私立医院的收费，但私人医院收费过高的事仍层出不穷。

但我还是部长时，我曾多次公开地说，医疗服务商业化最终苦了贫穷的病人，而政府的条例也沦为无牙老虎， 监管工作受限。

因此，我希望政府能重新考虑私营化国家心脏中心的决定。如果势在必行，我希望当局不会忽略贫困的群体的公务员。否则，不仅导致心脏中心失去原有的良好信誉，也会流失国阵选票。

PRESS STATEMENT BY DATUK SERI DR. CHUA SOI LEK

ON REPATRIATION AND RETENTION OF MALAYSIAN HUMAN CAPITAL:POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Human capital is an important resource that must be valued and managed effectively as a means to lift the Malaysian economy to the next level of development in order for the country to achieve the vision and aspirations of a fully developed nation. Hence, it is imperative to prevent the loss of this crucial factor of production and focus on how to attract and hold onto skilled labour.

It cannot be denied that a large amount of this human capital has been lost through brain-drain. It is estimated that there are about 900, 000 Malaysians working overseas.

THE NEED TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN HUMAN CAPITAL

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in Malaysia, the constraint is as much quantity as quality. The report also noted that Malaysian graduates tend to have weak skills in precisely those areas most needed by the type of knowledge-based economy to which Malaysia is directing its efforts to becoming.

The importance attached to human capital development by the Malaysian Government is shown in its 2009 budget which allocated a total of RM47.7 billion or about 23% of the total budget for education and training. In 2008 alone, the government sponsored 17,000 students in universities overseas. Government programmes are also complemented by the private sector.

BRAIN DRAIN

There is a global competition for talent and human capital. Hence, efforts must be made to retain Malaysians with skills and expertise and those who are working overseas must be encouraged to return.

There is no systematic human capital retention programmes in terms of job placement and career development. Very often these students, including post-graduate students at the masters and doctoral degree levels, feel frustrated and disappointed with their job-postings. Such frustrations and disappointments are driving factors for brain drain. These policies and programmes must be based on rational criteria.

There must be clarity in the formulation of human resource policies. Implementation must be consistent with the spirit and intentions of policies. Many government-sponsored overseas students are allowed to work overseas upon graduation. The longer they stay overseas, the less likely for them to return. In some cases, the spouse, who is a professional is posted away from where the family is residing. Apathy among desk officers to the problems faced by the returning expert and his family may give a negative impression.

The converse phenomenon is Brain Gain. Although no data exist on brain gain, it may be deduced that Malaysia has not attracted any significant number of foreign experts.

Therefore, the Malaysian Government must take a serious look at its current policies and programmes for bringing back Malaysians as well as retaining those with the skills and knowledge that are needed by the country.

Current Repatriation Programmes:

Currently, there are two main programmes targeting the repatriation of human capital.

1) Program to Encourage Malaysian Citizens with Expertise Residing Overseas to Return to Malaysia:

Currently, the Ministry of Human Resources administers a repatriation programme under its “Program to Encourage Malaysian Citizens with Expertise Residing Overseas to Return to Malaysia” (refer to Appendix). This is a broad-based programme which covers a wide spectrum of expertise, targeting Malaysians all over the world. The programme offers three main incentives to encourage Malaysian citizens with certain expertise residing overseas to return home to Malaysia, that is, (i) tax exemption for personal effects, (ii) tax exemption for two cars, and (iii) permanent residence for non-Malaysian spouse and children. As of the beginning of 2007, there were only 985 applications, of which 485 were approved. Of the 485 approvals, 330 have returned.[1] The statistics indicated that only, on average, each year about 50 Malaysians have returned to work in Malaysia. The effectiveness of the programme is hampered by some observed weaknesses:

• The programme does not address the fundamental reasons that cause these workers not to return. Tax exemption for personal effects and cars, may not be strong enough an attraction for repatriation;



• The package of incentives must focus not only on the worker but also on his family as well. It must be realised that Malaysians working overseas may have families. The decision to return involves the family as well. If the family’s needs are not met, the worker will not return. Family needs, among other things include residential location, employment opportunities for working spouses, and schooling for children;



• The current programme does not provide a special ‘green lane’ for the passage of repatriation. The successful applicants have to go through the normal bureaucratic procedures to apply for tax exemption and permanent residence for their non-Malaysian spouse and children. The process can take longer than six months;



• Under the current programme, the worker and his family bear all the risks.

2) MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation)’S BRAIN GAIN PROGRAMME:

Among the goals of MOSTI is to increase the critical mass of researchers, scientist and engineers (RSE) in the country to achieve a ratio of 50 RSE:10,000 labour force of priority areas by 2010. In this context MOSTI launched its Brain Gain Malaysia (BGM) programme in December 2006. Nevertheless, this programme suffered from similar weaknesses as mentioned above.

• Malaysian scientists working in developed countries expected salaries five times the pay here. Such expectations should be expected, taking into account the differential salary and remuneration systems as well as the foreign exchange factor. It is understandable for the returning Malaysian scientist or expert to want to at least maintain his standard of living and quality of life.



• There is a lack of sophisticated scientific facilities in Malaysia. Highly skilled scientists and researchers will be attracted to the availability of state-of-the-art equipment,, laboratories and facilities.



• Bureaucratic problems such as delays in obtaining immigration clearance.

RETAINING HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE COUNTRY

1) No Job Satisfaction:

Determining factors for human capital retention are related to opportunities for career advancement, intellectual fulfilment in the generation of knowledge and skills sophistication. The programmes for retention of skilled people must address both economic and non-economic factors.

2) More Economic Liberalisation:

An open economy with investor and business-friendly policies are more likely to attract the return of migrants.

3) Work with the Malaysian Diaspora:

Efforts should be made to tap the Malaysian academic and scientific Diaspora and entrepreneur networks to capture benefits and know-how from emigrants overseas through legislative and tax rules that encourage remittances and investment from Malaysians abroad.

4) Establish World-class Research Centres/Universities Free of Bureaucratic Controls:

The research and scientific professionals must be separated from the public service remuneration and scheme of service and be allowed to work based on a culture of knowledge creation and invention.

5) Administrative and Bureaucratic Commitment:

Very often, good ideas and plans are rendered ineffective because of poor implementation. The following administrative and bureaucratic measures are necessary:

a. Increase the salaries of post-doctorates and increase funding for the hiring of university professors to retain talent.

b. The procedures and process must be simplified in order to break down bureaucratic delays.

6) A Distinct Holistic and Attractive Package of Incentives:

Instead of just targeting the worker, the package of incentives must target the worker and his family. The incentives must be attractive enough. In this respect, it may be worthwhile to make benchmark comparisons with the kind of incentives provided by other countries. The package of incentives should also provide assistance:

c. For job-search

d. For business start-ups

e. For family re-location

Malaysia is a resource-rich country, nevertheless, countries that are poor in such resources such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and smaller economies like Singapore and Hong Kong have shown that a rational and effective utilisation of their human resources can achieve economic development and join the family of developed nations. In fact, people make the difference. Therefore, Malaysia cannot afford to continue to waste and lose the precious human capital that we have. Promotion should be based on merit. There should be no political inteference. Skills and talents are coloured blind.

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[1] These figures were announced by the then Deputy Minister of Human resources, YB Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar (NST, 8/2/2007)

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人力资源对国家前途和推动国家经济是一项重要的资源，必须加以重视和有效管理，善用人才以提升我国未来的经济发展水平，加速落实大马成为进步国家的愿景和目标。因此，当务之急政府必须的人力资源政策必须要遏制资源流失，把重点放在如何吸引和留住知识型和技术型人才。
无可否认，我国已经大量流失有经济价值的技术专才，初步估计我国有90万人外国外工作。尽管政府多番努力吸引国人回流及留住国内专才，但结果并不理想。人才外流让我国损失却让他国得益，因为散居国外的不乏一些顶尖和优秀的大马专才。而在国内，政府和私人机构同样求才若渴，人力资源的竞争愈加激烈。
为何急需吸引和留住人才？
亚洲发展银行（ADB）报告指出，马来西亚发展受限的原因是同时面对人才质与量的匮乏。大马一直无法及时栽培技术人力来应付市场需求，原因包括本地的大专毕业生人数低。即使有，也很少具有混合技能的人才。该银行的报告也说，大马的大学生缺乏一些专业方面的学识和技能，但这些正是要朝向知识型经济发展的马来西亚所需要的。
在刚公布的2009年财政预算案里，政府将拨出总额477亿令吉或23％作为教育和培训用途。这展示政府相当重视人力资源发展。此外，一些政府机构也赞助不少学子留学海外。仅在2008年，政府就赞助了1万7千名学生到国外求学。
人才外流
全球化的人力资源竞争和跨国挖角，使不少大马专才外流到其他国家或外国公司。因此，我们要努力留住在本地服务的专才，并且设法吸引国外的大马专才回流。就这个议题，我大略归纳了几点进行探讨：
我国没有完善的人力资源招留系统，包括工作安排和就业发展方案。这让许多硕士和博士研究生对他们就业前景感到悲观和失望，而成为人才外流的导因。
政府必须要制定明确的人力资源政策，执行要一致避免偏差，并要符合政策的目的和精神。许多政府赞助的海外留学生毕业后都获准在国外工作一段时期。在这段时期他们累积了国外的工作经验和知识，也适应了当地的薪金回酬制度，相比起本地的薪价，我国的确缺乏吸引他们回流的条件。当他们在逗留国外越久，回国的意愿则越弱。也有一些个案，由于其中一伴侣被公司派遣他国任职，而必须离开我国。这些都是加剧人才外流的因素。此外，政府官员漠不关心的工作态度，也让许多回流的专才及其家人留下很坏的印象。
我国无法遏制国人外流，相反的也无法吸引国外专才移居大马。虽然没有数据，但我相信我国实行的吸引国外专才计划并不成功。
所以，政府的确要认真地、全面地检讨现有的人力资源政策，特别是招留专才的措施。
目前，我国有两项招留专才计划：

1． 鼓励海外的大马专才回流计划
这项计划由人力资源部负责游说和鼓励散居世界各地的大马专才返回我国服务。此计划提供3大奖掖：
i) 海外携带回国的个人资产免税
ii) 豁免两辆由国外运回国汽车的入口税
iii) 非大马公民的伴侣和孩子可成为大马永久居民
根据人力资源部副部长拿督阿都拉曼于2007年2月8日发表的言论，截至2007年初，该部只接获985项回流大马的申请，其中只有485项获批准。而当中，只有330项申请的人士回国。这表示，平均每年只有约50人回国。
我国每年有逾前人出国深造，还不包括获外国公司聘请的人数，相比之前，平均50人回国的人数的确不值得我们高兴。问题出在哪里？

• 
  
  
  当局不了解有关计划失败的真正原因。税务优惠已经缺乏吸引力



• 
  
  
  有关奖掖不仅要照顾申请者，也要照顾申请者家人的需求，包括居所、伴侣的就业机会及孩子的教育。



• 
  
  
  此计划没有提供特别管道处理相关的事项。当申请者回国后，他们必须经过一般的程序处理免税和永久居民证的申请，面对繁文缛节这些申请可能耗时长达6个月。



• 
  
  
  申请者和家人须自行承担这项计划的风险。申请者取得人力资源部的批准，一切后续工作皆由本身处理。当局并没有引导申请者寻找工作或安排就业，也没有提供任何援助。严格来说，申请者回国后久完全不受理了。

2． 科学、技术及革兴部（MOSTI）吸引外国专才计划
科技部在2006年推介上述计划，目的是吸引更多科研领域的科学家、研究员及工程师，以期在2010年为我国增至50专才对10000劳工的比例。不过，迄今该计划也未见成效，其中的弱点包括：

• 在进步国家工作的大马科学家，期望回国后能获得5倍的工资。这种期望是可预料的，因为我们必须考虑不同国家的工资、薪酬制度和外汇因素。回流的专才和科学家都希望返回大马后能维持生活的素质。



• 大马严缺尖端科学设施。高级科学家和研究员无不对有先进科研器材、实验室和设施的国家趋之若骛。



• 官僚作风，如延误发出移民准政等。
  

综合以上论点，我认为要留住本地和外国专才，必须要考虑以下几点：

1． 工作成就感
就业发展、知识研究和技术精研机会决定人力资源的去留（尤其是科研人员及知识型员工）。任何吸引人才的计划都要概括经济和非经济考量。

2． 开方经济政策
落实更友好的投资政策，实行经济开放，才能吸引外资和移民。

3． 结合及善用国内外大马学术和科研家的网络，获取如何通过立法和税规资讯，来鼓励和增进海外的大马移民在我国的投资。

4． 设立非官方控制的世界级的研究中心/大学
科研专才的薪酬福利制应和公共服务制度分开，并允许和接纳他们以知识创造和发明为工作基础文化。

5． 行政和官方承诺
这也许是确保任何政策获得考虑的最关键因素。很多时候，好的想法和计划因为执行欠佳可告吹。要促成有关计划，我觉得以下措施是必要的：
i) 调涨博士级专才的薪酬，同时增加对大学聘请教授的赞助金，这样不仅可留住现有人才，也可吸引国外的大马教授回国
ii) 简化所有相关程序和手续

6． 采取更具吸引力的奖掖配套
奖掖配套要顾及专才和家人，要为申请者及家人提供就业机会、创业启营和居所安置等援助。


总结是，马来西亚是一个得天独厚，拥有丰富资源的国家，但我们所见，许多天然资源匮乏的领国如韩国、日本和台湾，甚至地形小于大马的经济国新加坡和香港，这些国家都显示了善用人力资源的本领，目前所取得的发展远远超过大马，加入进步国家的行列。事实是，人为可改变。因此，大马不能再继续流失宝贵的人力资产，我们必须以绩效擢升人才，而用人之策不该有政治干预，技术和才华也不该有种族区别。