Shawgi & Buthaina
Every month, we speak to new MM2H applicants who have chosen to make Malaysia their home away from home. For this issue The Expat got in touch with Shawgi Izzeldin and his wife, Buthaina Amir, who both hail from Sudan. Here, they share their experiences of being in Malaysia and what they think about this country.
The Expat: How long have you lived in Malaysia under the MM2H programme?
Shawgi: We visited Malaysia last year and the year before on vacation only. We only received our Multiple Entry Visas under MM2H programme six months ago.
The Expat: How/where did you hear about the MM2H program?
Shawgi: We came across the MM2H programme after intensive reading about Malaysia on websites.
The Expat: What do you do for a living / what did you before retirement?
Shawgi: We are still working at the Sultanate of Oman on valid contracts until next year.
The Expat: Had you spent time in Malaysia before moving here? When?
Shawgi: Technically, we haven't moved to Malaysia yet but will do once our current employment contracts expire. However, we visited Malaysia in August 2006 and June last year.
The Expat: Can you describe what it is about Malaysia that tempted you to join the MM2H scheme?
Shawgi: I'm a nature lover and I have always dreamed of living in a tropical country and it is also peaceful with no language barriers.
Buthaina: I like friendly people and warm places and the homes are affordable compared with other places.
The Expat: What other countries did you consider and why did you ultimately discount them?
Shawgi: We were actually planning to immigrate to Canada but I felt that Malaysia would suit us best. Plus, I was also worried about the weather in Canada and fast life.
Buthaina: We did not have any other choice. Personally I didn't want to return to Sudan due to political instability and uncontrollable infl ation.
The Expat: Can you describe the opinion of Malaysia that you had before you began looking into life here?
Shawgi: I thought it would be like any other South-East Asian country where you could see nothing but fl ooded areas and poverty.
Buthaina: I actually thought it would be very unsafe and a backward country.
The Expat: In what ways is Malaysia the same and in what ways is it different to that expectation?
Buthaina: Different to what I thought, really. It is safe (of course as in any country, you have to be careful in some places) and has excellent infrastructure. It is a modern country and women are respected and play an important role in the society.
The Expat: Tell us about your favourite holidays and experiences in Malaysia since joining MM2H?
Shawgi: Most of it was during our vacations in the past two years. We went to Langkawi. Melaka, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and Kuala Lumpur.
The Expat: Have you found it easy to settle and make Malaysian friends?
Buthaina: We haven't settled yet. But our first impression was that it would be very easily for us to adapt to the new environment. During our short stay last time as my husband was busy with the completion of visa formalities, I was concentrating on the best living and affordable locations in Kuala Lumpur.
The Expat: How do the living standards in this country compare to other places you've visited?
Shawgi: The standard of living here is reasonable. In fact it's better compared to Oman where we have been living for over 26 years and the Gulf region in general or even to our home country (Sudan).
The Expat: What do you miss most about your home country?
Shawgi: Nothing much.
The Expat: Did you take any trips within Malaysia in the last year?
Shawgi: Yes, Melaka and Berjaya Hills in addition to Kuala Lumpur.
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?
Shawgi: No experience yet but I think I can go back easily to my old hobbies such as painting, taking videos, writing plays etc so I can join theatrical and fine arts groups in addition to sport activities.
Buthaina: I can do a lot of voluntary work relating to my specialisations particularly nutrition, childcare and teaching Arabic as a foreign language.
The Expat: What is it specifi cally that drew you to the MM2H programme?
Shawgi: The programme offers a 10 year renewable visa and we can buy properties, invest and live there.
The Expat: Was it easy to apply? Would you recommend it to others? If so, why?
Shawgi: It was very easy to apply, particularly through experienced and reputed agents like Borneo Vision (MM2H) Sdn Bhd with whom we dealt successfully and promptly.
By Aida Ahmad
