Not all who emigrate do so because of money, 13.4.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw does not agree with the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who says that those who emigrate do so because of money. Nazri's survey of the matter is incomplete. His understanding of brain drain is limited.

The Prime Minister's Department must review comprehensively to ascertain the actual number of those who have left the country and the factors for so doing in the last 50 years. The vast majority of people of Chinese and Indian descent have remained in the country.

Dr Tan questioned Nazri who wound up the debate on the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat on 10 April, 2007.

Migration occurs since mankind appears on earth. In any society, once people perceive that other countries offer better opportunities, they may emigrate. Besides brain drain, the movement of workers is phenomenal.

In the 70s last century, some Chinese and Indians as well as occasional Malays emigrated. A smaller number continues to do so from time to time. Nevertheless, some return to Malaysia. As mentioned by the Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, who has confronted the minister on the issue, unfair policies and unequal chances are two of the many factors for the brain drain.

Since Merdeka, we do not know the actual number of Malaysians who have emigrated and their reasons for such action. The Prime Minister's Department should be able to give the information.

Superficially, Nazri does not accept our view on brain drain. But, his short-sightedness prevents him from seeing further. Although there are those who emigrate for material gains, there are others who do so for other reasons. In some fields such as academia, some work overseas not just for money.

There are Muslims who are new in Malaysia. There are non-Malays who have been here for many generations such as some of us. We have returned to this country since 1970. Although the pays overseas are many times higher than this country, we elect to ramain and engage in constitutional struggle.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw