Edward & Siti Pertinez
This month, The Expat meets British citizens Edward and Siti Pertinez. Edward, who hails from Birmingham in the UK, has been in Malaysia for a year and now calls the country his home away from home. Here, they share with us their wonderful experiences during their stay in Malaysia.
The Expat: How long have you lived in Malaysia under the MM2H programme?
Edward: Since April 2007, when we got our 10 year visa.
The Expat: How/where did you hear about the MM2H program?
Edward: From a copy of The Expat magazine in our hotel room, while on holiday in KL.
The Expat: What do you do for a living / what did you before retirement?
Edward: I was an Area Manager, Asia Pacific, for a UK chemical company and was based in Singapore.
The Expat: Had you spent time in Malaysia before moving here? When?
Edward: I first came to Malaysia in 1975 to survey the market for chemicals used in palm oil refi ning and ended up setting up a local factory to supply that industry.
The Expat: Can you describe what it is about Malaysia that tempted you to join the MM2H scheme?
Edward: I've liked the country since my fi rst expat posting to the area. The climate, the favourable exchange rate and the widespread use of English were additional factors.
The Expat: What other countries did you consider and why did you ultimately discount them?
Edward: We actually considered Spain as we have family there, but since the introduction of the Euro, it has become expensive and property prices are somewhat unrealistic.
The Expat: Can you describe the opinion of Malaysia that you had before you began looking into life here?
Edward: Having worked as an expatriate in South East Asia for five years, I had formed a favourable opinion of the country.
The Expat: In what ways is Malaysia the same and in what ways is it different to that expectation?
Edward: Malaysia has grown so much in terms of vast improvement in the infrastructure, the availability of good quality affordable housing and a noticeable increase in general prosperity.
The Expat: Tell us about your favourite holidays and experiences in Malaysia since joining MM2H?
Edward: Well, to unwind from the hustle and traffic of KL, we often rent an apartment near the beach in Kuantan, do some fishing and enjoy the local food.
The Expat: Have you found it easy to settle and make Malaysian friends?
Edward: Yes, besides my old business acquaintances, I have made friends in our gated "village" where we all meet socially.
The Expat: How do the living standards in this country compare to other places you've visited?
Edward: Malaysia is the ideal blend of a low cost of living with a high standard of living, so a UK pension (tax free under MM2H ) is worth much more than in UK. The recent removal of capital gains tax on property is also an important factor.
The Expat: What do you miss most about your home country?
Edward: My family members because they are so far away and also the four seasons.
The Expat: Did you take any trips within Malaysia in the last year?
Edward: Mostly to Kuantan and also to Kelantan to see a more rural and traditional Malaysia.
The Expat: Please tell us more about how you pass your time - do you find that there are enough activities in Malaysia to keep an expat busy?
Edward: No shortage of activities actually from golf to walking in Taman Negara. The problem is finding the time to do all one wants to do. I devote time to giving free English lessons to local children in my "village", as I notice that the standard of spoken English among teenagers needs improving.
The Expat: What is it specifically that drew you to the MM2H programme?
Edward: It allows you to retire to a beautiful and friendly country, without property ownership restrictions and a high level of economic and political stability.
The Expat: Was it easy to apply? Would you recommend it to others? If so, why?
Edward: Yes. The application process is smooth, provided you have an experienced and effi cient agent. We had an excellent experience with Borneo and I strongly recommend them. I am encouraging contacts in UK to apply by guiding them to appropriate websites about MM2H.
By Aida Ahmad
