KUALA LUMPUR: Over 2,000 Malaysian talents living overseas have returned to the country under the Returning Expert Programme (REP) from 2011 to June 2024, says the Human Resources Ministry.
Based on data from TalentCorp, the ministry said that the programme had received 11,124 applications since 2011 but that only 2,011 of applicants have successfully come home to Malaysia.
REP, which is part of the MyHeart platform, provides the Malaysian diaspora with a 15% income tax exemption rate, tax exemption on personal goods, vehicle excise duty exemption up to RM100,000, as well as the facility to obtain permanent resident status (PR) for their spouse and children.
The ministry also said the MyHeart Career and Facilitation Fest (MyHeart CaFe), which provides a platform for the Malaysian diaspora to connect with employers in Malaysia, has also managed to draw in 1,499 Malaysians back from overseas of its 1,981 jobs offered since 2022.
Meanwhile, the MyHeart Innovate programme has brought in 10 Malaysian diaspora entrepreneurs so far since its launch in August this year by providing them both guidance and access to initial funds to begin their businesses.
“To strengthen support for REP applicants, networking sessions have also been held to help them better connect and possibly find work with large companies locally like Shell, Maybank and Maxis.
“The ministry is also paying close attention to diaspora children who wish to return to Malaysia by providing them information on local educational institutions and opportunities such as the Young Global Leader (YGL) and Summer Break programme,” the ministry said in a parliamentary written reply dated Monday (Nov 4).
The ministry was responding to a question from Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub), who asked the ministry on its plans to attract local talents to return and contribute to the country’s development.
