PKR communications chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad today hit out at the BN federal government for perpetuating discriminatory practices that have alienated all races, in the public and private sectors alike.

NONE In a statement in response to a recent World Bank report on the Malaysian brain drain, Nik Nazmi ( left ) said current policy approaches of the government also do not provide much opportunities for the poor, as it is drawn on racial lines.

“Due to political interference, many talented non-Malays face a glass ceiling in the civil service, government-linked companies and politically-connected sectors.

“At the same time, many genuine Malay entrepreneurs without the right political connections also suffer due to discrimination from the private sector as well as from the government,” he said.

The Seri Setia assemblyperson, who claimed that both his Iban and Malay housemates from his student days in London chose not to return to Malaysia, added that the government’s decision to form Talent Corporation was “wrong-headed”.

“You are not going to stop the brain drain by forming yet another government corporation. Conversely, it sends the wrong message to Malaysians who have voluntarily returned to Malaysia by selectively rewarding certain individuals or nakedly attempting to lure expatriates to our shores with goodies.

“Such cosmetic changes do nothing to address the main reason why Malaysians are leaving,” he said, referring to the World Bank survey where 60 percent of respondents ranked social injustices as the top three drivers behind emigration.   

While Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s New Economic Model prioritises “quick wins” and “low hanging fruits”, Nik Nazmi said attention should be placed to overhauling fundamentals, like the education system and affirmative action.

This, he said, may not show short-term, populist results but would be beneficial in the long term in safeguarding Malaysia’s “wealth, dignity and future”.