By Thomas Fann

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The Home Ministry yesterday revealed, in a written reply to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN–Kota Bharu) in Parliament, that nearly 100,000 Malaysians have become Singaporeans over the past decade.

That figure is not just a number — it is the equivalent of losing an entire medium-sized Malaysian town to our southern neighbour. It should be a wake-up call for every policymaker to ask: Why are so many of our people leaving, and what will it take to make them stay?

Yet instead of grappling with these urgent questions, some politicians — including Dr Akmal Saleh, the UMNO Youth Chief and Merlimau assemblyperson — have chosen to focus on minor errors or administrative slip-ups, turning them into political ammunition.

This is not leadership. It is irresponsible political opportunism.

Losing the Bigger Picture

The migration trend is not unique to Malaysia–Singapore relations. The World Bank and various migration studies have noted a steady outflow of Malaysians to other countries as well — to Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Many of those who leave are skilled workers, professionals, and entrepreneurs. The estimate of the Malaysian diaspora is over 1.86 million over the past five decades.

The reasons are well-documented: better wages, more predictable governance, merit-based career progression, higher-quality education, and a political climate where competence is rewarded. Less well documented and perhaps the most important driver is the loss of hope in the future of Malaysia. Addressing these drivers requires courage, bipartisan cooperation, and a long-term plan.

But when national leaders focus on “gotcha” moments over trivial mistakes — an upside-down or incorrectly illustrated flag, a mislabeled product, or any perceived insult to race or religion — they send the wrong message. They show the public that political theatre takes priority over problem-solving.

The Price of Petty Politics

In a democracy, accountability is essential. Facts must be correct, and leaders should be scrutinised. But accountability is about improving governance, not scoring points for a news cycle. Petty attacks over inconsequential errors risk undermining trust and confidence in both the government and the opposition — and, more importantly, the hope of a better Malaysia.

For ordinary Malaysians, this political point-scoring feeds cynicism: If our leaders can’t focus on solving real problems, why should we expect better in the future? That cynicism, in turn, fuels the very brain drain the Home Ministry’s data highlights.

A Leadership Choice

Dr Akmal and others in positions of influence have a choice: rise above opportunism or remain trapped in it. To truly serve the Rakyat, leaders must focus on practical and long-term reforms — from improving wages and strengthening institutions to making our cities more liveable and our governance more transparent.

If we are serious about keeping our talent, we must create a Malaysia where people see a future worth investing in. That requires a national conversation grounded in ideas, not insults; persuasion, not provocation.

Moving Forward

The Home Ministry’s figure is a flashing red warning light. If we continue spending our political energy weaponising minor mistakes instead of tackling the root causes of migration, we will keep losing our people — and with them, our nation’s potential.

Let us redirect the spotlight to where it belongs: fixing the conditions that push Malaysians away, so that more of them choose to stay. The future of Malaysia depends on it.

*Thomas Fann is the former Chairperson of BERSIH and writes as a private citizen who still believes in ordinary Malaysians — whom he believes are decent, fair-minded, and share a common desire to live in peace and harmony.*