Rafidah Aziz to head reverse brain-drainTalent Corp?

Rafidah

Malaysia Chronicle

Speculation is rife that Prime Minister Najib Razak has invited former Trade minister Rafidah Aziz to head Talent Corporation, one of the many newfangled agencies his administration has spawned in its bid to convince Malaysians that reforms were on the way.

Talent Corp is specially tasked to woo Malaysian professionals working abroad to return home, and according to sources, Rafidah was tapped because of her excellent networking skills.

“There aren’t many good senior people with Rafidah’s type of international knowledge. Like her or not, she has her skills, why not tap them,” the source told Malaysia Chronicle.

APs ok but not Ling Liong Sik


Rafidah was one of the longest serving Cabinet ministers before she was dropped, despite being the Kuala Kangsar MP, due to the mountain of corruption allegations dogging her.

However, her critics say if true, her return would tarnish Talent Corp even before it could begin operations, slated for January 2011.

According to them, there was no such thing as there being no one else more suitable. They believe that Najib was offering her the high-profile post because he wanted her political backing as she is still a powerful figure in Umno.

“If it is true, it will come with a heavy price. Whether Najib realizes it or not, he is sending a message that APs are okay but Ling Liong Sik is not,” Batu MP Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

More public relations

As Trade Minister, Rafidah had been accused of widespread abuse of Approved Permits for vehicles to benefit her family and cronies. However, no action or probe has ever been carried out against her while former Transport minister Ling Liong Sik was arrested a couple of months ago for alleged involvement in the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone financial debacle.

Meanwhile, Najib told reporters covering his overseas trip to Brussels that Talent Corp would begin in January to make concerted efforts to seek out Malaysians working abroad and persuading them to return home.

“Previously, we waited for them to get back to us but this time we will seek them out. We will find out what it takes for them to consider going back home and at the same time create more business opportunities and pay them wages that are more aligned with global wages,” Bernama reported him as saying in the European capital.

“I think the icing on the cake will be how fast we can implement the various projects and business opportunities that have been identified; only then will we be able to attract the Malaysian diaspora to consider going back.”

Tian - doesn't expect serious efforts

Nonetheless, pundits were unconvinced. They said Najib was just trying to create a feel-good factor and Talent Corp was not the vehicle that could make the serious societal reforms needed to placate a disenchanted Malaysian diaspora.

“Probably, we may see one or two high profile coups. But unless there are serious reforms, in terms of leveling the playing field, in terms of promotion opportunities, assessment by meritocracy, getting rid of racism and religious bigotry, I don’t think talented Malaysian will take his bait. They have heard the ‘broken record’ over and over before and unless they see real social change, they won’t budge,” Tian said.