"It is tantamount to a theft crime," said Mahathir

By Khaled Shawkat, IOL Correspondent

KULALAMPUR, July 28 (IslamOnline.net) – Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad accused Tuesday, July 27, the West of "stealing" the brilliant brains of the developing countries.

Urging such countries to take concrete steps to put a curb on the aggravating brain drain, Mahathir also lashed out at the developed countries for their irresistible temptations for brilliant brains from the third world.

"It is tantamount to a theft crime," Mahathir told reporters during his visit to the historical capital of Malaysia Malacca, warning of the failure of such countries to lure back their brightest and best scientists.

He also criticized the West for playing on the third world’s poor scientific funding and facilities and pouring billions on luminaries and researches.

According to recent estimates released by the Arab League, around 54 percent of Arabs studying abroad do not return home after finishing their post-graduate studies.

Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics put at 824,000 the country's brilliant brains, including 2500 scientists, who immigrated abroad for a better scientific environment.

Compensations

Mahathir further called for "compensations" from the developed countries to the governments of affected countries, which provided charge-free education for immigrant brains and polished up their skills.

The father of Malaysia’s scientific and economic renaissance said "brain resources" should be put on par with "natural resources like oil and gas".

Mahathir retired last October following 22 years in post that give his country a complete facelift of the once agricultural country into that of a fast track, fast spiraling economic giant in the region.

Known for his eloquent and often outspoken speeches, Mahathir frequently urged the Muslim world to keep pace with the West by equipping itself with state-of-the-art technology to restore its former glory.

Malaysia offers the image of a very successful Muslim country, 60% of the population are Muslims, heading towards the status of developed nation with huge buildings, beautiful cities and a fast track economy that is doing well despite recent shattering events.