GOVT WON'T STOP M'SIANS FROM WORKING ABROAD

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The government will not stop Malaysians
from seeking employment abroad especially in this time of economic downturn, the
Lower House of Parliament was told Tuesday.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Senator Maznah Mazlan said the
decision was in line with the principle of human capital mobility and the rights
to employment among citizens, either at home or abroad.

Replying to Fong Po Kuan , an opposition MP,, Maznah said, the ministry,
however, was still encouraging highly-skilled Malaysians to return and utilise
their expertise to develop the country.

"The ministry has put in place programmes and incentives to attract
Malaysian professionals abroad to return to the country to overcome the shortage
of experts and create a pool of world-class manpower.

"The Human Resources Ministry is the secretariat for the programmes which
comprise various ministries, agencies and employers' representatives," she said.

Maznah said since 2001 the government had approved 500 applications out of
1,309 received from Malaysian professionals abroad who wanted to return home.

-- BERNAMA