Ngah, Ibrahim and Meeteren, Masja van
(2016)
Understanding The Influx Of Indonesian Immigrants In Rural Johor: Aspirations And Strategies.
In:
4th International Conference on Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 2016 (ICOLASS’16).
Universiti Sains Malaysia, p. 41.
Abstract
The rapid pace of development in Malaysia in recent decades has caused an acute labour shortage in
the rural sector due to continuous out-migration of young rural people to urban areas which was
overcome by the immigration of foreign labourers from neighbouring countries, particularly from
Indonesia. This study aims to investigate immigrants’ aspirations and their behavior to achieve their
migration goals. The characteristics of immigrants and migration history are also examine in relation to
the aspirations and intention to stay in Malaysia or return to home country. The study reveals that out of
383 respondents only 25 wished to stay permanently. Some of the immigrants’ characteristics,
aspirations and strategies vary with the intention to return and to stay in Malaysia permanently.
Immigrants who aspired to return prioritize their responsibilities to their country of origin’s
socioeconomic development. Therefore, their efforts to reach the migration goals are based on saving
money for investment in their origin country. The main purpose of their migration to Malaysia was shortterm
financial gain with the objective of setting up a business or investment in economic activities on
returning to their homeland. Immigrants who have the intention to stay in Malaysia permanently tended
to put more efforts in investing in a strategy that involves adapting to life in the host country. They
regard it a good strategy to maintain close relationships with local people.
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