MYHEART PROVIDES AVENUE FOR MALAYSIAN DIASPORA TO DRIVE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – KESUMA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia@Heart or MyHeart platform has provided an avenue for the Malaysian diaspora to actively contribute to national development, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the platform has effectively shifted the issue of brain drain to ‘brain circulation’ by connecting Malaysians abroad with economic, social, and cultural opportunities in their homeland.

“This initiative promotes a productive and high-impact collaborative ecosystem by leveraging existing networks.

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Through MyHeart, the government can fully harness the expertise, networks, and contributions of the diaspora for the nation’s development,” he said during a question-and-answer session.

He was responding to a question from Senator Tan Sri Prof Dr Mohamed Haniffa Abdullah, who inquired about the ministry’s measures to curb the loss of critical talent and capital essential for the country’s future economic growth.

Abdul Rahman said the ministry, through Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), has implemented various initiatives to address the brain drain and enhance the development of high-quality human capital to support economic growth. 

“In terms of fiscal incentives, the Returning Expert Programme (REP) offers attractive benefits to the Malaysian diaspora seeking to return and contribute to the nation. These include a flat income tax rate of 15 percent for five years.

“Additionally, the programme provides tax exemptions on personal belongings (excluding motor vehicles) and excise duty exemptions of up to RM100,000 for locally assembled cars,” he said.

Since the REP’s implementation from 2011 to 2024, TalentCorp has received 11,402 applications from Malaysian professionals abroad.

Of these, 7,241 applications were approved, and 4,730 individuals have returned to work in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA