Why shouldn’t I stay overseas? Knowledge gained from Malaysian expatriates

Abstract

This study attempts to gain in-depth understanding about the push and pull factors that drive skilled Malaysian citizens to migrate outside the country. In this regard, 31 in-depth interviews were carried out focusing on Malaysian with the intention to migrate. The results show that the reasons for migration of the Malaysian talents are wage gap differences, better lifestyle, race-based policy, low quality of working and family influences are their main reason of wanting to leave Malaysia for another job. In addition, low quality of working environment also adds to the intention of migrating. From the findings, the research found that an increment of salary/income, more job opportunities, enhance working environment and review on race-based policy would likely bring back Malaysian brain drain.