TalentCorp reports over 1,200 experts returned to Malaysia in five years, with REP applications up 26% this year, boosting key economic sectors
PETALING JAYA: More than 1,200 highly skilled Malaysians have returned home over the past five years through the Returning Expert Programme (REP), signalling growing confidence in domestic career opportunities and the country’s ability to build a competitive, future-ready talent ecosystem.
TalentCorp Group CEO Edward Ling said global mobility remains a defining feature of today’s workforce, with an estimated 2.43 million Malaysians – about 7.1% of the population – living abroad.
However, frequent cross-border commuting with Singapore means diaspora figures do not always reflect permanent emigration.
Ling said the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone is expected to attract Malaysian professionals globally, offering high-value jobs, competitive wages, modern work environments and attractive tax policies.
“In line with these developments, REP applications increased by 26% this year, signalling stronger intent among Malaysians abroad to participate in Malaysia’s next phase of economic development,” he said.
TalentCorp supports both permanent return and overseas contribution, ensuring Malaysians remain connected.
“Improving global talent rankings reflect growing confidence in Malaysia’s economic prospects and career opportunities,” Ling said.
He also highlighted brain gain initiatives, attracting highly skilled foreign talent through Employment and Resident Passes.
Industry trends among REP returnees align with Malaysia’s economic priorities, with top sectors including oil and gas, financial services, ICT, global business services, electrical and electronics and healthcare.
“Returning Malaysians fill critical skills gaps while bringing international experience, leadership capabilities and global networks,” Ling said.
TalentCorp’s Malaysia@Heart (MyHeart) initiative enables Malaysians abroad to contribute without relocating.
Examples include a London partnership that trained 60 Sabah schoolteachers in robotics and AI, benefiting over 120 students and a Malaysia–Japan Visionaries Conference led by researcher Dr Amy Poh, drawing over 300 participants.
“These examples show Malaysians abroad want to contribute back to the country, even if they are not ready for a permanent return,” Ling said.
Performance metrics go beyond return numbers, tracking career progression, leadership impact and long-term retention. Under MyHeart, success is measured by the number and depth of collaborations, including knowledge transfer, mentoring, innovation projects and investment linkages.
“Over the past five years, TalentCorp facilitated over 1,200 returns through REP. In 2025 alone, nine collaboration projects involved 15 diaspora members from Japan, the UK, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand, benefiting around 2,000 local talents,” Ling said.
