According to a recent study, presented at the forum Brain Drain: Who Gains? Who Sacrifices? in KL on Saturday, economist Dr Lim Kim Hwa stated that the current scheme to stem brain drain could backfire.

In reference to the 15% optional tax rate on income for 5 years, this would inadvertently nudge more local professionals to work abroad for higher salaries and gains that outstripped the benefits that they would enjoy if they returned.

Citing a 2011 World bank Report, among the top three reasons Malaysians left to work overseas: better salary/benefits, career prospects and social injustice.

Should we focus on retaining and improving local talent as a cheaper and more sustainable solution rather than luring overseas Malaysians back?

Today on the Evening Edition we asked ‘Should we forget about trying to bring Malaysian experts back from abroad?’ Do you really think country needs their expertise?

Our lines were open.