LAST Friday, we walked into a community hall in Kuching and overheard a conversation filled with pride – families sharing stories of their children’s successes. It warmed the heart yet spoke volumes.
You’ll find proud parents, vibrant cultures, and inspiring stories of achievement … just not always here. From doctors in Melbourne, soft engineers in Kuala Lumpur, and researchers in Singapore, many of Sarawak’s brightest are planting their roots far from home.
This quiet departure – often called brain drain – is one of the most urgent challenges facing Sarawak today. It’s more than just the loss of individuals; it’s a loss of innovation, leadership and the long-term potential of our communities. We’re not just watching our talents go – we’re watching opportunities, ideas, and futures slip through our fingers.
Why Do Our Brightest Leave?
Sarawak offers breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity and a unique cultural heritage. But for many skilled professionals, that’s not enough to stay. The decision to leave often stems from a mix of economic, professional and systemic factors. Let’s look at some of the key drivers:
- Limited Opportunities in Specialised Fields: Graduates in areas like engineering, data science or healthcare often struggle to find roles that match their expertise. High-value industries and multinational corporations are concentrated in urban hubs like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, leaving Sarawak with a narrower job market and fewer career paths.
- Salary Gaps: Professionals abroad can earn significantly more – sometimes 5 to 8 times higher than local salaries. For doctors, IT specialists or researchers, the financial incentives to stay overseas are difficult to ignore. Even highly patriotic individuals must often weigh passion against practicality.
- Lack of Innovation Ecosystems: Sarawak lacks the established tech hubs, research institutions and collaborative spaces that foster innovation. Without access to mentorship, venture capital or startup accelerators, the region struggles to retain ambitious, forward-thinking minds who crave environments that challenge and inspire.
- Bureaucratic and Cultural Barriers: For Sarawakians who want to return, re-entering the local workforce isn’t always straightforward. Licensing delays, outdated policies and limited flexibility can stall even the most motivated returnees. Navigating red tape, adapting to rigid systems or feeling unrecognised upon return can discourage even those eager to come home.
The Ripple Effects
The consequences of brain drain extend far beyond individuals:
- Healthcare: Remote areas suffer the most, with understaffed clinics and long waiting times due to a shortage of trained professionals. Patients are left without the support they need, especially in rural communities.
- Education: When educators and researchers leave, universities struggle to remain competitive, affecting future generations of students. The local research output drops and academic excellence becomes harder to sustain.
- Digital Economy: Sarawak’s aspirations to lead in digital transformation are held back by a shortage of IT architects, software engineers and data experts. Without these talents, efforts to modernise infrastructure and services stall.
- Green Innovation: Our potential in renewable energy, sustainable forestry and environmental science depends on talents that understand both the land and the latest technologies. Losing these thinkers means delaying progress on sustainability goals.
But it doesn’t have to stay this way. The story can change – and we all have a part in writing the next chapter.
Solutions That Start with Us
To reverse the brain drain, we need more than good intentions – we need strategic, grounded action rooted in long-term planning and community collaboration.
- Make Staying Attractive: While global-level salaries may not be realistic across all sectors, we can provide housing support, relocation packages and clear career growth paths. Aligning local opportunities with global standards helps rebuild confidence in a future here, especially for those considering coming back.
- Strengthen Key Sectors: Sarawak holds natural advantages in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism and digital services. With smart investment, targeted incentives and workforce training, we can turn these sectors into engines of inclusive growth and international relevance.
- Develop Research & Innovation Hubs: Empower our universities with funding, autonomy and international collaborations. Create centres of excellence in areas like AI, environmental science and indigenous studies to attract top minds and research funding. These hubs can serve as both magnets for global talents and anchors for local development.
- Celebrate Returnees: Publicly share the stories of Sarawakians who have come home to make a difference. Role models shape young dreams – showing what’s possible here helps others believe they can do the same. Let their success remind others that meaningful careers are possible at home.
- Enhance Quality of Life: People choose where to live based not only on work but on lifestyle. Reliable transport, vibrant arts scenes, affordable housing and safe communities all contribute to making Sarawak a desirable home. Comfort and culture matter as much as compensation.
- Leverage Diaspora Networks: Our professionals abroad remain deeply connected to Sarawak. Build formal bridges through alumni associations, remote work opportunities, mentorships and fellowships. Offer short-term placements or startup grants to keep the connection active – and open the door to returning. By involving the diaspora in local development, we invite them to be part of the solution.
At the Heart of It
Brain drain isn’t just an economic issue – it’s a question of identity and belonging. When young Sarawakians feel that they must leave to succeed, we lose more than talents; we lose part of our collective story and shared future. But when they see opportunity, dignity and a future here, we gain more than skilled workers – we gain mentors, leaders and changemakers.
Each of us has a role to play in making Sarawak a place people choose to stay, return to, and invest in. Let’s champion local talents, nurture their potential, and build a Sarawak that no one wants to leave behind.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at drjohnlau@gmail.com.
