Why do I love Malaysia so much?

I have been living in Malaysia for 8 years now and I have enjoyed every moment of it. Truth be told, there have been some worrying and difficult moments, but as I mentioned in a previous post, I am "living the dream" here in Kuantan, Malaysia.

I have a friend from England who lives in Johor Bharu (JB) and he too keeps a blog. I'd like you to meet him today. 

His name is John and in a recent posting, he pretty much explained to a tee how we both feel about Malaysia and why we Englishmen indeed love Malaysia so much!

I couldn't have explained it better myself, so please hop over to John's blog right here to find out what I mean.

Malaysia Boleh!

Fidelia's Friday - Heartiest Congratulations to my sister!

Today my post is especially dedicated to my dearest sister, Florianna. I mentioned her upcoming convocation in a previous post. 

Florianna graduated with a Masters of Science in Safety, Health and Environment from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai, Johor last Saturday, 24th September 2011. 

My mother was able to attend her convocation that Saturday but my father came 2 days later to take some pictures with her.

We are all proud of her and wish her "all the best" for her future. Keep up the good work, sister!

Here are a couple of photos of my sister.

With my beautiful lovely mother...

With my handsome smart father...

We are now waiting for her PhD convocation in 3 years time. Hopefully we will be there. Fingers crossed!

Have you been so proud of any of your siblings' achievements? 

Mydeal.com

I enjoyed my wife's first blog post yesterday, I really did. I think it's refreshing to have another voice on my blog, especially when it's that of my best friend, my dear wife. A lot of people attached to our families are looking forward to Fridays now!

On to today's post. I have recently discovered a website named www.mydeal.com.my which is very exciting. It is a website serving people in Singapore and Malaysia with various deals each day on food, eating out, holidays, events etc.

You simply choose a deal which tickles your fancy, select the location you will redeem it at, and enter your info and payment method.

The site will be open to Kuantan residents within the next 3-4 weeks. It is currently available at selected locations in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Ipoh, Malacca and Miri.

So if you live in any of these locations, go and check out www.mydeal.com.my

Immigration

"immolate" - kill or offer as a sacrifice, especially by burning




Immigration

I have a love-hate relationship with Malaysian immigration, somewhere in the ratio of 10:90.

It's been almost five years since I've been living in Kuantan, and I still have to leave the country every three months as a condition of my social visit pass. It remains difficult for me to obtain any kind of longer visa. I was told recently that I may apply for a renewable 6-month visa, but that it would set me back RM1,700!

On previous enquiries the sum has been set at RM2,000, requiring tons of paperwork, the necessity of finding employment, an employers' letter etc etc... Far too much of a hassle.

Being new to the ordeal of leaving a country, the immigration officials looked dark and scary as they sat at their counters, rigid face, eyeing me suspiciously. Now five years on, the fear has departed as I've realised the rights of entry I possess.

So I've been travelling to Singapore regularly, looking forward to visiting that beautiful country each time.

The Kuantan immigration has been particularly helpful to me during one pickle I was put in, but I've had an abundance of difficulties exiting and entering Malaysia through the Johor Bahru (now known as CIQ) complex. At times I wondered if they wanted to immolate me! I won't detail too many of my immigration complaints, but if you follow this link you read of a couple of my experiences.

Has anyone had troubles/experiences entering or exiting certain countries?

Malaysian Immigration Experiences

Well, I've had some interesting if contrasting experiences in two different Immigration complexes within the last week.

Firstly, I was moving through the new CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) Complex in Johor Bahru last Friday on my way back from Singapore. Receiving only two days was a kick in the teeth, and the manner in which it was done was extremely rude and highly distasteful. After 6 hours on a bus to Singapore and with the prospect of another 6 hours back to Kuantan, a two-day chop was not at all pleasant, leaving a bad taste in the mouth and an evil thought in the mind.

Anyway, I made my way to the Kuantan Immigration Complex the following Monday, a day late, it then being the 6th July, so technically I had overstayed by a day. I had been preparing myself to explain to them what had happened and hope that they would be lenient. I fasted and prayed about it. When I arrived, a young Muslim woman neatly dressed with an accompanying 'tudung' (head cover) addressed me and took my passport while I filled out an extension form. Submitting the form I sat down and waited to be called up, sure that I would be asked why I've overstayed and resultingly be given a warning or something worse. As it is, that young officer was also surprised that I had only been given two days at the CIQ and explained that she would be giving me a 3-month chop free of charge. "This is what you deserve," she later told me.

How refreshing! What great service I encountered that day at the Kuantan Immigration Complex! And what a complete contrast to my earlier experience at the CIQ. I'm extremely thankful for the Immigration officers here in Kuantan, and their understanding of my situation. This is the sort of service that will take Malaysia forward and endear foreigners to its shores.

I'm learning that when something bad happens, it's generally a sign that God has something glorious in store for you if you endure well.

And that wasn't the end of this little episode of mine.

I had made a complaint on the internet to the Malaysian Government website about my experience at the CIQ in Johor Bahru. I received an email on Tuesday 7th July informing me that my complaint was being investigated. Then on Wednesday, the Kuantan Immigration called me in for an interview concerning my complaint. So on Thursday I arrived and was asked various questions about the nature of my complaint by that same Muslim woman who had been so generous earlier in the week. Once again, the service I received was excellent, and I now have the opportunity to gain a 6-month visa which she introduced to me after the interview.

So things went from awful to awesome during this last week. Life is a roller-coaster wherever you are, but mine has just done a loop-the-loop and I feel re-invigorated and satisfied once more.