David H.Harding
This month, The Expat got in touch with David H. Harding who resides in a beautiful home in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Hailing from Cornwall in the UK, David is an interior designer who built his own house. Happily settled in his abode, he now calls Malaysia his home.
The Expat: How long have you lived in Malaysia under the MM2H programme?
David: I've lived here for over three years.
The Expat: How/where did you hear about the MM2H program?
David: I actually heard about the MM2H program from the Immigration Authorities.
The Expat: What do you do for a living / what did you before retirement?
David: In the early 70s, I opened a hotel restaurant in Cornwall for nine years. Prior to that, I also had a commercial career at the London Palladium and as a director and television choreographer at the Royal Opera House and BBC for 15 years. I have resumed my painting career until today.
The Expat: Had you spent time in Malaysia before moving here? When?
David: Yes, from 1998 onwards. I made several visits here and also to Thailand, Burma and Laos.
The Expat: What other countries did you consider and why did you ultimately discount them?
David: Well, I owned a house on the Costa del Sol in Spain for three years prior to moving here. Then I decided to move on. I left my birthplace (Cornwall, UK) at 14 years of age to move to Exeter in Devon to study, then to London at the Royal Academy followed by the army and was later stationed in Germany.
The Expat: Can you describe the opinion of Malaysia that you had before you began looking into life here?
David: Following a vacation in Melaka, Penang, Langkawi etc I knew Malaysia had gentle and happy people. Another trip to Kuala Lumpur a year later and I was hooked. I met such wonderful people and I like the laid-back lifestyle.
The Expat: Tell us about your favourite holidays and experiences in Malaysia since joining MM2H?
David: My favourite ones were my trips to Sabah, especially Kudat, North Borneo and Kota Kinabalu. I was actually far too busy finding and building the right dream home, which is now complete
The Expat: Have you found it easy to settle and make Malaysian friends?
David: Yes. I would highly recommend the MM2H program to all expats. I hope Andy Davison, in the near future, can come up with a supper club for expats in Kota Kinabalu.
The Expat: How do the living standards in this country compare to other places you've visited?
David: Mostly on equal terms, really. The humidity here is still bearable, although I have six air-conditioners in the house. The political situation seems firmly in hand and highly respected. Expats will surely be welcomed here under MM2H.
The Expat: What do you miss most about your home country?
David: Nothing much maybe the snow. I even make my own Cornish pasties and fi sh and chips here.
The Expat: Did you take any trips within Malaysia in the last year?
David: Yes, Kudat.
The Expat: Was it easy to apply for MM2H? Would you recommend it to others? If so, why?
David: Yes, it was. I would recommend it to others too, although the price will eventually go up.
By Aida Ahmad
