About 3,600 Malaysians overseas have returned - TalentCorp

A total of 5,600 has applied for the programme. There are more than 300,000 Malaysians living and working abroad in developing countries.

TalentCorp chief executive officer Johan Mahmood Merican denied that the REP's progress is poor despite the low number.

Johan said that the approved applicants that qualify for the REP may seemed like 'a drop in the ocean' but the efforts to 'satisfy' the demands of these group is an enormous feat.

"The REP is not a programme to attract anyone and everyone. It is targeted to assets abroad that has valuable international experience to give back to our nation," stressed Johan.

"We have noted the recommendations from the 2015 World Bank report and will continue to address the main reasons Malaysians choose to live abroad including salary concerns, opportunity for career growth and livability of our country." he told Astro AWANI.

The REP which acts as a tool to attract Malaysians back offers optional 15 percent rate on chargeable employment income for a period of 5 consecutive years. The programme also promises to expedite foreign spouse and children eligibility for Permanent Resident status. REP also gives tax exemption on one car per successful applicant up to RM150,000.

According to TalentCorp's data, Malaysians abroad who has applied for the programme are working abroad at Singapore, China, United Kingdom, Australia, America and Qatar. Their background are across industries from the business sectors, oil, gas & energy, financial services and the communication, content & infrastructure sectors.

TalentCorp's data also revealed leading companies leveraging on the REP include Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad, Malayan Banking Berhad, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Malaysia and Schlumberger (M) Sdn Bhd.