By Shikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21: Sarawak will not introduce a retention policy, but it will create high-income jobs to meet the needs of a new generation of professionals and skills, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He noted that brain drain occurs due to existing occupations not matching the training of the professional people.
“If our economy is static and does not apply the latest knowledge in terms of economic management, the locals would migrate for career progression.
“That is why we have to restructure our economy to greater heights so that our children trained in new courses will get employment in Sarawak. It depends very much on the quality of the jobs.
“Therefore, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is currently moving towards a green economy, digital economy and the new economy that needs certain expertise,” he said during a townhall session at Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2023 held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) Kuala Lumpur here today.
He was responding to a student from Mukah who had asked whether the Sarawak government would have any plans to establish a retention policy to resolve the brain drain phenomenon that the State is facing today.
Nevertheless, Abang Johari informed that despite the brain drain, many Sarawakian professionals working abroad have started to return home to serve the State as she aspires to transform the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), develop methanol plant in Bintulu as well as upon the establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros).
“Additionally, the software being used in civil and Syariah courts today was produced by Sarawak, which also shows that digital experts are now returning to Sarawak.
“As we move to develop a green economy, we also need people who are very well versed in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and experts in fund management. As a matter of fact, we are now sourcing the right people to run our sovereign fund together with international fund managers.
“Thus, there is no such thing as retention policy, but you must have a policy suitable to the training given to the Sarawakians for us to increase our economy,” he added. — DayakDaily
