KUALA LUMPUR - The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) and Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) are stepping up efforts to attract Malaysians and skilled professionals working overseas to return and work locally, Bernama reports.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the effort goes beyond higher pay and focuses on building a strong ecosystem that offers jobs matching workers’ skills and career goals.

“This includes improving competitiveness, expanding training programmes, aligning skills with industry needs, and creating clear career pathways, including in emerging sectors such as data centres,” he said in a press conference after visiting the TalentCorp headquarters, last Tuesday.

Ramanan said discussions are ongoing on programmes to encourage Malaysians overseas to return, while stressing that the final decision depends on individuals.

“We must look at the ecosystem as a whole, not just the salary difference. That is why we are training local talent and ensuring industries have access to skilled Malaysian workers,” Ramanan added.

He acknowledged that although salaries overseas may be higher, the cost of living is also much higher, making direct pay comparisons less meaningful.

Ramanan also noted a PIKOM report showing Malaysia’s digital salaries lag behind regional peers but said wages are projected to rise by 11% next year due to continued training and upskilling efforts.

TalentCorp Chairman, Wong Shu Qi said the focus is on growing high-value industries so Malaysians abroad will choose to return when good opportunities arise.

She added that improving competitiveness and ease of doing business, including speeding up Employment Pass approvals, has helped attract investment and create more high-paying jobs.

“Without high-value investments and competitive job offers, it is difficult to entice Malaysian talent abroad to return. We are also prioritising improvements in competitiveness and EODB, including speeding up the Employment Pass (EP) process,” Shu Qi said.