Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Over 5,000 Malaysian professionals return home under government scheme
Malaysia's Returning Expert Programme has successfully attracted more than 5,200 Malaysian professionals working abroad to relocate back to the country since its 2011 launch. The initiative has received nearly 13,000 applications from expatriate Malaysians seeking to return home.
LSN Malaysia ·
The government's Returning Expert Programme has brought 5,234 Malaysian professionals back to the country over the past decade, according to Human Resources Minister R Ramanan. The scheme, which commenced in 2011, aims to leverage the skills and expertise of Malaysians working internationally to support the nation's economic development and innovation sectors.
Since its inception, the programme has generated significant interest among the Malaysian diaspora, with 12,850 applications received from nationals employed abroad. The figures underscore growing appetite among overseas-based Malaysians to contribute to their home country's development.
The Returning Expert Programme represents a key component of Malaysia's broader talent retention and attraction strategy. By incentivising skilled professionals to relocate domestically, the initiative seeks to strengthen human capital in critical industries and support the country's long-term competitiveness in the regional and global economy.
The programme offers various benefits and support mechanisms designed to facilitate the transition for returning professionals, including assistance with relocation and integration into the local job market. Government officials have highlighted the scheme as instrumental in reversing brain drain and fostering knowledge transfer across sectors.