John & Kiki Suermondt
This month we got in touch with John and Kiki Suermondt who have been in Malaysia for over three years under the Malaysia My Second Home programme. Happily settled at their home in Damansara, John, who is of Dutch/Australian parentage and Kiki, who hails from Indonesia, took some time off to share with us their experience of living in Malaysia.
The Expat: Where did you hear about the MM2H program?
John: From expats in Indonesia and then from The Expat magazine after my initial arrival in Malaysia in the taxi.
The Expat: What did you do before retirement?
John: International HR Consultant specialising in Behavioural Assessment related to Job Suitability and Performance.
The Expat: Had you spent time in Malaysia before moving here?
John: Yes, I had visited KL several times on business previously while living in Jakarta, Indonesia, between 1995 and 2002.
The Expat: Can you describe what it is about Malaysia that tempted you to join the MM2H scheme?
John: The fact that they welcome expats to live here and don't give you continual visa hassles as elsewhere, plus as a long as you don't work here there are no tax obligations, which is fair, as I spend my money here.
The Expat: What other countries did you consider and why did you ultimately discount them?
John: As we both can speak English and Bahasa Indonesia, Malaysia was the most logical choice plus I had to have international connectivity.
The Expat: Can you describe the opinion of Malaysia that you had before you began looking into life here?
John: Having travelled and lived in South East Asia for 25 years, I knew it had a British colonial link and was multi-racial, which I find attractive.
The Expat: In what ways is Malaysia the same and in what ways is it different to that expectation?
John: It is much the same, except I am most impressed with the pre-primary "Smart Reader Schools" in Malaysia which our youngdaughter has attended for nearly three years.
The Expat: Tell us about your favourite holidays and experiences in Malaysia since joining MM2H?
John: Pangkor Island and Kuantan were both relaxing and fun.
The Expat: Have you found it easy to settle and make Malaysian friends?
John: Absolutely, no problem at all, except they always want to beat me at golf. No seriously, we have made some very lovely friends.
The Expat: What do you miss most about your home country?
John: Good road driving discipline/manners and common courtesy.
The Expat: Please tell us more about how you pass your time - do you fi nd that there are enough activities in Malaysia to keep an expat busy?
John: We like dining and wining around KL with our local friends.I play golf and am associated with Rotary International via my club in PJ. Plus I travel a lot overseas.
The Expat: What is it specifi cally that drew you to the MM2H programme?
John: It totally suited our lifestyle and Malaysia welcomes you to live in their country and treats you the same as the locals.
The Expat: Was it easy to apply and would you recommend it to others?
John: I was recommended to a local agent who did all the paperwork. I personally didn't have the time as I still travel extensively overseas, so it worked out well. The MM2H application system has improved over the years, but it will always have its "ethnic charm".
By Aida Ahmad
