'Longkang otak': Zaliha corrects MP’s translation of 'brain drain'

PARLIAMENT | Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa today corrected Oscar Ling (Harapan-Sibu) over the backbencher’s translation of the term brain drain into Malay.

In a question posed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Ling (above, left) used a direct translation instead, which is “longkang otak”.

Zaliha, who responded during Question Time this morning, said the correct translation according to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka for the term “brain drain” cited by Ling should have been “hijrah cendekiawan” or migration of scholars.

“Before I proceed to answer, I would like to correct the term used by Sibu in this question, ‘longkang otak’.

“That term is too literal. The actual term introduced by DBP is ‘hijrah cendekiawan’ although there are some who use ‘penghijrahan bakat’ (talent migration) which is not very accurate,” she said.

Ling had asked whether the government is trying to address the issue of brain drain by limiting the number of local private universities offered as options for SPM leavers under a Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship.

In response, Zaliha said the term brain drain in the context of JPA scholars is defined as recipients who chose to remain and work abroad after completing their studies.

“Since 2016, the government has introduced a new model of sponsorship in the form of convertible loans based on place of service so that such sponsorship programmes can provide returns in terms of human capital for the country,” she said.

Meanwhile, contrary to Ling’s question, she said there has also been no reduction in the number of local universities offered as options for PSD scholars this year.

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