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1. Sabine says:
   #1 2005-11-18 17:46

   In der Bib sollte man seine Zeit doch auch eigentlich anderen Dingen widmen, sehe da nicht so den Unterschied. Allerdings dürfte es in einem Seminar doch wesentlich auffälliger sein, rumzutippern, oder? Wie hast Du das also angestellt?

2. Jürgen Hösch says:
   #1.1 2005-11-28 00:38

   Wie hab ich das angestellt? Letzte Reihe und Notebook raus. Wenn das Seminar dank fehlender Dozenten groß genug ist fällt das auch net auf.

3. Sabine says:
   #1.1.1 2005-11-28 00:45

   Mist! Ich will auch so ein volles Seminar!

4. pang lim shin says:
   #2 2005-11-23 05:49

   I am a Chinaman Malaysian, no pun intended and I am no proud of it. While I am not really a target of the government's drive to reverse some brain flow, I cannot tahan but to pen a word or two on that seemingly off-the-cuff statement.
   
   I am kampung boy who grew up amidst paddy fields. Twenty years ago, along with tens of young Malaysians, I was lucky to be hired by a large Singapore multinational firm. However, the oil shock made our stint there short-lived. The company offered us student loans to further our studies.
   
   We have never looked back since. Now, while most of us are in the IT industry, we are also involved in manufacturing, law, journalism, grain processing, airlines and academics. Similarly, while most are based in US, we are also in Australia, Japan, Singapore and UK.
   
   Now, among us, how many have seriously considered returning to Malaysia to work and settle down? So far, a big, fat zero.
   
   The terse comment in itself speaks volumes of the status quo in Malaysia. It is a classic feudalistic approach to handling things - the godfather way.
   
   I wonder whether our man had thought of the very reasons why people flee the country in the first instance.
   
   Least of all, the all-encompassing, racially discriminatory policies that suck the life out of citizens. Widespread corruption. The lopsided judiciary. Sickening politicians. Cruel and oppressive laws. Abuse of power. Absence of accountability. And the police? What a mess!
   
   I also wonder if the PM-to-be realises who his audience is. Malaysian professionals abroad probably worked their butt off so as to reap the present-day fruits of labour. They are highly educated, and are keenly aware of things Malaysians and her malaise. Many have voted with their feet out of helplessness or disgust with the status quo.
   
   Here are two questions for our man. How many Malaysian professionals does he seriously think, would want to forego what they have accumulated abroad, and return to the same environment that drove them out in the first place?
   
   Does he also truly believe that Malaysian professionals abroad, once returned are convinced that they can contribute to nation building despite the stifling draconian laws that gag reasonable freedom of announcement, activity and expression?
   
   Yes some, but not many will return.
   
   For most professionals, living abroad has its own ups and downs. But, you get dignity, fair treatment, and respect for your ability. You get a voice, too. And ears to hear you.
   
   Also, Malaysia does have a shortage of doctors and it seems ridiculous that Malaysian government-sponsored medical students are not required to return home.
   
   All said, I do not lose hope. But talk of nation building should start at the individual level. If you take the oomph and the aaah out of the individual, chances are, no finger-snapping mere politician can lure him/her back to contribute to nation building.
   
   I stand corrected.

5. oversee says:
   #3 2005-11-23 05:52

   Migration and emigration of human beings is a pre-requisite of human progress and development. Without migration, human beings would be doomed to an existence worse than that of animals. Even animals migrate to seek a better habitat.
   
   Patriotism is not a one-way thing, it is a two-way commitment. If one finds that one's patriotism and loyalty is not reciprocated as having to live with a corrupt government, discriminatory policies, inhumane and repressive laws etc., one has a right to review one's patriotism and commitment if one so chooses.
   
   Why would people stay if their talents are not recognised in their own country and they do not have the opportunities to develop their potential? Why remain when they can have these opportunities in another country?
   
   Indeed, it is very fortunate that we all live in this day and age of globalisation where we are free to live and work anywhere in the world as long as we have the skills and talent.
   
   There is much less reason now to put up with bad governments, or corrupt, oppressive regimes and racist, anywhere in the world.
   
   Of course the grass is never greener on the other side. You still need the same energy, enterprise and sometimes luck to make it. But there is no doubt in my mind and in those who have worked here and overseas - the playing field is more level abroad.
   
   Whilst, I may add that most lower middle-class Malaysian citizens and professionals are the main bulk of immigrants to countries abroad. They need to get settled first and have a few contacts to start life anew.
   
   To expect them to be millionaires in businesses will take a generation or more and we are beginning to see that now. If they had not emigrated, they would have been hard pressed to send their children abroad and everybody knows the quota system for universities, jobs, job promotions and opportunities back home.
   
   In Canada, we experience the best there is in life. Every citizen has equal rights. They have done well in every aspect of life.
   
   In the US, anyone whether black, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, etc has the right to run for president. There are no restrictions, one only needs to secure the votes.
   
   Nobody should operate under the assumption that migration is a bed of sweet, smelling roses. Roses have thorns.
   
   Certainly, migration is not a dirty word. In fact, migration is the reason for this multiethnic paradise I call home today. The question is, can Malaysia retain her talents?
   
   We are simply losing good people to the more developed countries, and this problem is also faced by other countries such as India and China.
   
   Singapore has been absorbing our talents regardless of the medium of instruction they have been taught in. Perhaps the biggest slap on our face is the fact that thousands and thousands of Malaysians have been recruited to bloom in the Lion City's workforce, while our own industry leaders have done nothing to help the government keep these investments from going abroad.
   
   Many people leave the country for a variety of reasons. Some leave for economic reasons, some for better education, some over concerns for the climate of democracy in their home country. There is no reason to deride any migrant for their choices in life. Every human being is entitled to the right of social, physical and geographical mobility - you seek your place on earth and call it home.
   
   So leave if you must, go while you can, but don't give up on the march.
   
   That is a worthy sacrifice that requires courage.
   
   Congratulations to those who have found a better future in life.

6. malaysia is no future country says:
   #4 2005-11-23 05:53

   First of all, are we (the non-malays, that is) really to believe that the government will abolish or tone down the New Economic Policy in the near future? We must be realistic, if you have the right to buy a property at a discount and have scholarships for your children, would you let go of these rights?
   
   With Chinese population dwindling in Malaysia, what needs to be done depends on the Chinese themselves.
   
   There is nothing wrong with the brain drain. In fact, we should encourage our children to move to Singapore, Taiwan, China etc. if we disagree with Malaysian government policies that are based on race and religion.
   
   When it comes to the matter of the dwindling number of Chinese Malaysians, we should talk about quality, not quantity.
   
   We should resolve why the Chinese-Malaysian population is reducing. Official figures have more than one million Chinese Malaysians emigrating over the past 25 years. Why did they emigrate? I am sure the government knows.
   
   Straight A students can't get scholarships or university places. Nothing new, it is been that way for the past 35 years. Nowadays, even enlightened malay Malaysians are speaking up on this injustice. The MCA and Gerakan? Busy making money from private colleges.
   
   What is so great about having TAR College or Utar which took more than 35 years of begging? Why should it be so difficult to set up an independent university when we have scores of public ones?
   
   While we push young talented people away, other countries notably Singapore, the US and Australia welcome them with open arms.
   
   Is it logical that we drive away our young talented ones and then invite retired Mat Sallehs to live here and exploit our low-cost of living?
   
   Singapore's success in particular owes much to these ex-Malaysians or their descendants including Hon Sui Sen, Goh Keng Swee, Goh Chok Tong, just to name a few.
   
   About 30 percent of top management in both Singapore's government and corporate sector are ex-Malaysians. We export them so that Singapore can compete with, and then whack us.
   
   Korea and Taiwan, both way behind us in the 70s and 80s are now way ahead. Thailand is breathing down our necks.
   
   Sadly, there is just no integrity in the nation's leadership.

7. Jürgen Hösch says:
   #4.1 2005-11-28 00:48

   Very interesting to get your opinions about the Malaysian emigration and brain drain here.
   From my outside perspective Malaysia is a very intersting big experiment. Three different cultures bound together in one country, forced to work and to live together gives the country great opportunities. Even I (staying in this country only for six month) noticed a lot of discriminationg things from the government against Chinese people, against Indian people and last but not least any other foreigners.
   Therefore I hope that the governing people recognize that diversity is a chance and not a threat for the country.
   
   Regards,
   
   Jürgen

8. Rex Imperator says:
   #5 2005-12-05 03:29

   I totally agrees with the above comments. The future of this country is rather bleak if not doomed. Politicians here are living in their own twilight zone, harping on the success of this country, which i think very soon the northern neighbour Thailand will eventually overtake this country.
   
   For starters, years ago the second prime minister was asked by Lee Kuan Yew, the then prime minister of Singapore. "Are you concern that there is a massive brain drain happening in the country, and most of them are Chinese" Surprise surprise, the Malaysian counterpart told Senior Lee "let them go if they want to...." Thats the attitude of this country. They don't realised that for a country to be prosper and advance, they need brains. Thats why Singapore is doing all it could to attract brains all over the world. However it is different over here. Once upon a time, i have an Indonesian maid. When she started to work, she has only a working visa. Later she informed us that she got a 'Red IC' (citizen of Malaysia have blue IC) meaning she is a permenant resident. The last general election she was standing inline with me to cast votes and i did asked her, rather surprisingly, elections are for citizens and why are you here. She just showed me her blue IC. Meaning to say she is a citizen. The other part of a story, a local woman married a profesional from Australia. Due to our funny system, her husband cannot work in Malaysia because he could not obtain a permenant resident. They were happy to stay in this country of the weather and environment, but because of the visa thingy they went back to Australia. Now the story is, the bureaucrats would happily grant citizenship to those that are of the same religion (not Christian, Buddhist or Hindu), or the same race (those with brown skin). I am not sure what is the policy of the country. Maybe the policy is to maintain labour intensive industry but not people with brains.

9. PPA says:
   #6 2006-01-11 09:36

   I totally agree with you guys. If given the chance to flee out of this country, I would do. Would you lik eto know the true fact about the MALAY language??? There's isn't any in the first place. All the vocabs are translated from all sorts of other languages like Mandarin, English, Indons, Portugese, Tamil... etc.
   
   Also, since I'm a dog lover, WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT BANNING DOGS AND STILL ALLOW STRAY CATS SH*T IN OUR GARDEN AND KILL OUR GRASSES AND FLOWERS???

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