Letter to the Editor: “Would or did the govt try, or put in its steadfast efforts to woo our local talents back to their homeland?”

Dear Editor,

I refer to the Commentary: “Singapore must send a bold signal to attract global talent” (CNA, Aug 26).

In/Since the ancient history of China, many rulers of respective dynasties had enlisted able and sagacious men to assist the rulers in governing the dynasties. For example, Zhuge Liang was recruited by the ruler of Shu Han, Liu Bei and charged with an important position – chancellor, military strategist and later regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

Hence, this widely known character/story of the Chinese history and its implied valuable methodology is also (or should also be) applicable in today’s contexts of complexity.

While we recognise the utmost importance for Singapore to attract and retain top talent in order to raise our global competitiveness for now and the future, we must also deeply analyse and define the exact perimeter for talent(s), so that we won’t wrongly cast the net in the irrelevant boundary.

Simultaneously, the Authority needs to clearly identify in what sorts and capacity of talents are critically deficient or required for which sector and industry.

Of course, when the contest for global talent heats up, we need to cautiously and steadfastly formulate and implement systematic and pragmatic policies so that we can mobilise this mechanism to achieve what we want and work for our advantage.

However, I have one doubt that lingers in my mind: –
Has the Government really pondered hard enough about the inadvertent loss of local talents who went overseas either for study or for some other reasons and preferences as well as preferring to work and live there?

Would or did the Government try, or put in its steadfast efforts to woo or lure our local talents back into their homeland for strengthening the nation’s building?

Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)