[Letter to the Editor] The Sarawak govt’s call for return of Sarawakians: A promise or mere political rhetoric?

Letter to the editor. —DayakDaily.com file pic. // Photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay

By Dr Muhammad Khusairy Bakri

In recent years, the Sarawak government has made several publicised efforts to encourage Sarawakians living and working outside of the state to return home.

This initiative, at face value, appears to be driven by a desire to rejuvenate the local economy, tap into the wealth of human capital, and mitigate the outflow of talent. However, the lack of tangible results in certain cases raises questions about the effectiveness of this policy.

The situation reflects the challenges of government initiatives that aim to bring about social and economic change, leaving many to wonder if this call for Sarawakians to return is more about gaining political goodwill than implementing concrete change.

One of the most significant criticisms of the Sarawak government’s efforts to bring Sarawakians back home is the apparent lack of follow-through. Many who have responded to the call, and have submitted their CVs and expressed interest in returning to contribute to the state, including myself.

Yet, after years of waiting, they have received no acknowledgment or response. This lack of communication undermines the credibility of the initiative and suggests a disconnect between the government’s stated goals and its capacity to act on them.

For those who have made the effort to respond to the government’s request, the silence can feel like a broken promise. The absence of updates or a clear action plan diminishes the trust people have in the sincerity of the initiative.

When promises are not backed by actions, the call for Sarawakians to return begins to look more like an attempt to create a favorable public image rather than a genuine effort to make change.

Governments, both federal and state, often introduce initiatives that may seem positive but are primarily designed to garner political support.

In the case of Sarawak’s initiative, the timing of the announcement, as well as the fanfare surrounding it, raises concerns about whether the move is aimed at gaining popularity among voters rather than bringing about substantial change.

Given Sarawak’s political landscape, where local and national politics intertwine, the introduction of such initiatives close to election periods can be interpreted as an attempt to secure votes. This skepticism is exacerbated when tangible results are lacking, making it harder for the public to trust the government’s sincerity.

Even if the intention behind the call to bring Sarawakians back is genuine, there are structural and systemic barriers that have not been adequately addressed. The high cost of living in certain parts of Sarawak, limited employment opportunities, and the lack of infrastructure in more rural areas continue to discourage many from returning. These issues are deep-rooted and cannot be fixed with rhetoric alone.

Without addressing the root causes of why many Sarawakians left in the first place, such as insufficient job opportunities and inadequate healthcare or education services, the government’s call feels hollow. It would take significant structural reforms to make Sarawak a more appealing place for its diaspora to return to, yet there has been little to no concrete action in this direction.

Another concern is the disconnect between the lofty goals set by policymakers and the realities on the ground. While ministers may promote the initiative at a high level, the execution may falter due to bureaucratic inefficiencies or misaligned priorities within government agencies. This results in the breakdown of well-meaning programs, where the initiative does not extend beyond speeches and public announcements.

A government initiative can only be successful if it is accompanied by clear implementation plans, resources, and accountability measures. When these are missing, even the best-intentioned policies are unlikely to achieve their goals, leading people to become disillusioned with the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.

Despite the skepticism, there are legitimate reasons to believe in the Sarawak government’s call for its diaspora to return. For one, the state is in a unique position to harness its natural resources and develop its industries.

Sarawak’s economy, which historically relied on resource extraction like oil and gas, is diversifying into areas such as renewable energy, digital economy, and agriculture. The government’s initiative may thus be part of a longer-term vision to align the skills of returning Sarawakians with the state’s evolving economic landscape.

Those who believe in the initiative argue that the lack of immediate results should not be taken as a sign of failure but rather as a reflection of the time it takes to create lasting change. In this view, the call for Sarawakians to return is a forward-looking strategy that will bear fruit in the coming years as new industries develop and the state continues to grow.

Sarawak has demonstrated a commitment to developing its human capital, as seen through its investment in education, upskilling programs, and collaborations with foreign universities.

This focus on enhancing the skills of Sarawakians is a positive indicator that the government is serious about creating opportunities for its people. By encouraging those who have gained expertise overseas to return, the state aims to fill gaps in critical industries, from healthcare to engineering, which are essential for sustainable growth.

This return of highly skilled Sarawakians can provide a much-needed boost to the state’s development. Sarawak’s focus on digital economy initiatives, for instance, requires a workforce that is well-versed in the latest technological advancements.

By providing the right incentives and aligning job opportunities with the skills of returning Sarawakians, the initiative has the potential to elevate the state’s economic standing.

The Sarawak government has not only announced the initiative in isolation but has also included it in broader strategic development plans. The Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) is one such example where the government is looking to accelerate development by focusing on economic, environmental, and social sectors. The call for Sarawakians to return fits within this larger narrative, where the state is trying to attract talent to support long-term objectives.

When viewed in the context of these broader strategies, the initiative to bring back Sarawakians gains credibility. The government has laid out clear goals for economic transformation, and the return of skilled Sarawakians is a critical part of achieving those goals. By integrating this initiative into its larger development plans, the government signals its commitment to ensuring that the state thrives in the future.

Sarawak is gradually investing in new infrastructure projects and economic zones that can provide opportunities for returning Sarawakians. The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), for instance, is one of the major development projects aimed at attracting both domestic and foreign investors. For those looking to return, these initiatives present new career prospects, especially in industries like energy, manufacturing, and logistics.

Sarawak’s geographic position and its resource wealth provide the foundation for such development. As new infrastructure projects come online, they create ripple effects in the economy, opening up new areas for job growth and business opportunities. Sarawakians returning home could find themselves well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities, especially in emerging sectors like green energy and technology.

The Sarawak government’s initiative to call Sarawakians home has both its critics and its supporters. On the one hand, the lack of immediate results and structural barriers present valid reasons for skepticism. It is easy to see why many feel disillusioned after years of waiting for meaningful action. On the other hand, there are legitimate reasons to believe that this initiative, if properly implemented, could help transform Sarawak’s economy and provide opportunities for the state’s people.

For this initiative to succeed, the Sarawak government must address the concerns of those who are skeptical. This means improving communication, following through on promises, and creating tangible pathways for those who wish to return. At the same time, the government should continue to invest in long-term development strategies that will make Sarawak an attractive place for its diaspora to return to.

Ultimately, whether or not people should believe in the initiative depends on the actions taken by the government in the coming years. If Sarawak can align its rhetoric with meaningful action, then the call for Sarawakians to return could become a catalyst for growth and prosperity. However, if the initiative continues to be characterized by inaction and unfulfilled promises, it risks becoming yet another example of political rhetoric that fails to deliver.

In the end, the success of the initiative will hinge on the government’s ability to turn words into action and create an environment that truly welcomes its people back home. — DayakDaily

Dr Muhammad Khusairy Bakri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Composite Materials and Engineering Centre, Washington State University.

This is the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.