Set up special talent taskforce to identity needs of State, then talents, Abang Jo urged

 By PK Leong

KUCHING, June 15, 2017 - Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg should establish a special “talent” taskforce to first identify the needs of the State, and then identifying the talents to meet the need.

Kelvin Yii says having the right people for the right job is important to fulfill the needs of the State

"This will be tangible step to achieve the aspirations and vision to be a developed State as well as promote the sentiments for us Sarawakians, wherever we are, to give back more to the State," Bandar Kuching MP's special assistant Dr Kelvin Yii said yesterday.

He said the taskforce should come with driven initiatives and attractive incentives to attract the state's local talents back home whether from abroad or even in West Malaysia.

"This is to add value into the State’s brain power needed to further develop our state whether in digital economy, technological development or other spheres," Yii said in  a statement.

In response to the chief minister's call to emphasize on Research and Development (R&D) by the setting up of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, Yii said it is important to address the other side of the coin, which is the strong need for brain power or trained professionals to achieve the target.

"Setting up a ministry or committee may be a good first step, but having the right people in place as well as the quantity and quality of people in placed also needs to be addressed.

"We may have a certain amount of workforce already in the State, but there is also a need for more to be added in to increase value and hopefully fasten the timeline for us to achieve our aspirations," he said.

Yii said one of the biggest issues as well as obstacles faced by the State is the issue of “Brain Drain”, where young professionals are leaving the State due to lack of job opportunities or to pursue of better job prospects.

"One bridge that has to be built, is to provide greater job opportunities and a conducive environment for the young professionals to thrive after their graduation, and the other side of the bridge that has to be built is to formulate attractive incentives to attract back the talents that have left the State," he said.

According to him, there are top professionals from Sarawak whether in West Malaysia, abroad or even in neighbouring countries like Singapore and Australia.

"We are often proud of their achievements on international news, however, the sad thing is they are not directly contributing to the development of the State," he pointed out.

He added outreach programmes and incentives should be made to facilitate the return of professionals to the State from abroad in order to boost our brain power whether in research and development, or other skill needs for us to achieve our aspirations to be a developed state. 

"Workforce needs aside, I believe we would love to see our children or even grandchildren return to the State and yet be able to succeed and fulfil their potential when they are close to home," he added.