According to a Sinar Harian report, Amar said the phenomenon was not unique to Kelantan as many people also worked outside their own states.

He cited a study which revealed that more than 500,000 Malaysians were working abroad.

The PAS vice-president said it all boiled down to personal preference.

“(But) if there is a need, we will set up a platform to provide information to the people to attract them to work in the state,” he said at a dialogue in Kota Bharu.

Amar was responding to a question on how the lack of job opportunities in the state had led to them looking for work in other states.

He said their “fondness for wandering” could also be seen in education, and that many students preferred to go to schools in Kota Bharu compared to areas like Panchor.

He said there were also education institutions in Kelantan like the Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic College, but many preferred to further their studies in Kuala Lumpur.

The Kelantanese people’s lack of interest in working in oil palm plantations despite a high salary being offered was also the reason the state needed to rely on foreign labour.