…in South Korea?
Ahmad Shah Ahmad Ros, a Malaysian who had spent nearly 7 years building a life in South Korea was killed recently there after going to help a friend caught up in a late-night confrontation.
Rest in peace to him.
His wife, a Malaysian, is also staying in South Korea with him.
Even though news did not mention anything, she is there probably also working, supporting the family.
There is no official or legal count of Malaysians working in South Korean factories because Malaysia is not an approved source country for factory labor under South Korea's official Employment Permit System (EPS).
Media reports, however, estimate that roughly 5,000 Malaysians work in South Korea without valid work permits, many taking up informal factory and agricultural jobs after entering on tourist visas.
There are also Malaysians working in Japan especially youths who are undergoing industrial training there under the collaboration between Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and the Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA).
He and his wife can’t be doing it so that they can be nearer to the Hallyu.
High youth underemployment in the country?
Why are there no politicians from UMNO and PAS asked why and what was the reason or reasons why Ahmad Shah has to uproot himself and his wife from Malaysia to stay and work in South Korea?
It is not just about making general statements that Malaysians must be given priority for available jobs before employers turn to foreign workers which many politicians are fond of making.
It is deep structural issues in the domestic labor market, driven by persistent wage stagnation, a mismatch between local skills and industrial needs that resulted in more Malaysian youths, not just only Ahmad Shah but youths across the broad spectrum of Malaysians, seeking factory or low-to-mid-tier work abroad.
Even though there were no details as to what was his academic and work experience in Malaysia and why he decided to uproot himself and his wife to work in South Korea, the fact that Malaysians has to seek employment opportunities abroad is indeed very distressing.
Brain drain is always referred to those with talent and academic credentials.
What about those who leave to work in factories overseas?
It is not to demean those who left to work in factories but to point out the failure of the government, present and all those preceding it, in managing and growing the country.
Truly sad.
Hopefully, politicians from UMNO and PAS will not claim that this was the reason why they continuously fight and raise about defending their race for if not, more Malay youths will leave the country and seek greener pasture.
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