This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 13, 2023 - February 19, 2023

Malaysia’s immigration policy emphasises that citizenship is a privilege, not a right. When it pertains to foreigners who have no ties to Malaysia, that’s fair enough. Unfortunately, the policy is often applied to Malaysians too, in how we treat those deemed “less than patriotic”. “Oh, you want to migrate? Go! Don’t come back!”

In that sense, this country’s attitude is much like a jilted lover who slams the door shut, rather than loving parents who will always welcome their children home. This attitude has cost us dearly, because many of our children have left and not come back. And we lament the “brain drain” as if there were nothing we could do to reverse it.

Which is why Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof’s comment on harnessing the brain drain to our advantage is surprisingly refreshing. He opined that the brain drain should be viewed in a positive light, since Malaysians working and living abroad can still contribute to the country.

Fadillah is almost right. Let’s be clear — no exodus of brains, skills or talent is ever a good thing for any country. But what the DPM is recognising is the value of a diaspora — emigration as a bridge builder, rather than a bridge burner. After all, it is emigration that makes for multiculturalism and a globalised world.

Assuming that our children will never come home is a fatalism our country does not need. Life and career trajectories can take a turn at any time. If that happens, we should always make it known to our children that we will always be happy to have them, and their families, back home with us.

Unfortunately, Malaysia’s immigration policies don’t support that. Foreign spouses are not allowed to work here. Children born abroad to Malaysian women married to foreigners are not automatically conferred Malaysian citizenship. So, even if our diaspora wants to return, they can’t just pack their bags, safe in the knowledge that they and their family would be allowed to come home.

In the long term, the best way to keep an advantage is to ensure that all Malaysians, their spouse as well as their descendants, feel comfortable to stay here or come back. And that must start with immigration policies that can bring this about.

Some countries avoid losing citizens by allowing dual or multiple citizenships — because they know that life isn’t so simple. Others, like the UK, India and most European Union countries, allow for citizenship by descent.

Both strategies keep the door open. Just because people left doesn’t mean they, or the next generation, won’t come back.

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