REP HISTORY

In the 2001 Budget, the Minister of Finance announced various measures designed to enable the creation of a Malaysian world class workforce. One of the measures proposed was to encourage Malaysians abroad in selected fields important to the nation, to return and work in Malaysia. Thus, the 'Returning Expert Programme' (REP) was introduced on 1 January 2001 with a list of incentives that may be revised from time to time.

Effective 1 January 2011, the REP was placed under the purview of Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) with the aim to facilitate the return of Malaysian experts overseas to participate in the many business and professional opportunities in Malaysia made possible by the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). The ETP envisaged for the nation to be a high-income economy by the year 2020 with its primary emphasis on the development and growth of 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) sectors that will help propel the nation forward. The 12 NKEAs are projected to create many jobs over the next decade that will require world class talents especially for middle and highly-skilled jobs. Thus, the REP aims to fill these vacancies by targeting groups of individuals including Malaysians currently residing and working overseas.

The REP is constantly being improved to meet the needs of the country. As of 2022, numerous engineers, bankers, senior managers, doctors, and IT professionals have returned under the auspices of the REP.

Successful applicants are subject to all existing laws and regulations in force in Malaysia.

The applicant, who has returned, worked and claimed all the incentives and benefits entitled to him is required to work in Malaysia for five (5) years from the date of return to Malaysia.