NST Online: 7 October 2007

LONDON: Another British couple is poised to make Malaysia their second home.

“We fell in love with Malaysia 10 years ago. Every time we go back to Malaysia on holiday, we always feel that we are going home.

Malaysia is now our home,” said Aileen Cook, who was satisfied with the regulations on applying to make Malaysia a second home.

“At first we thought that we had to pay a fixed deposit and confirm that we have proof of a monthly income.

Now we realise that it is one or the other,”she added.

Denis Clift chipped in to say that apart from the agent’s fee of £1,500 (RM10,400), which he thinks is quite heavy a payment to make, he is set to start the ball rolling and make the move.

Both Aileen and Denis are planning to spend their retirement days in Malaysia next year.

Aileen and Denis were among 30 British retirees who attended the half-day “Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) and Medical Tourism” seminar held at the Renaissance Hotel in central London yesterday.

Many, who had been going to Malaysia for holidays, only needed some reassurance before they made their final move.

To answer their questions and clear their doubts were Datuk Dr Victor Wee, secretary-general of the Tourism Ministry; Datuk Dr Jacob Thomas from the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) and Kumar Tharmalingam, president of FIABCI Asia Pacific Real Estate Federation .

Also present to tell those present about their experience living in Malaysia were David and Barbara Miller, who had made Malaysia their second home for the past 10 years.

“We were told about Malaysia by a friend. When we went there for a holiday, within three dayswe had fallen in love with the country,” said David.

“It is a safe and friendly place,” added Barbara.

In his opening speech, Malaysian High Commissioner to Br itain, Datuk Abd Aziz Mohamed, said he was confident Malaysia, with its comparatively cheap cost of living, conducive climate, language and historical links, would be a destination of choice for many British thinking of making Malaysia their second home.

Wee, addressing concerns about medical insurance for those aged over 65, said that insurance companies would have to think through and work out details.

“People here (in Britain) retire at 65 and this is when peoplewant to think about this plan. Insurance companies will have to incorporate this as part of their offering.” Wee also welcomed those who had volunteered to give their time teaching English to Malaysians.

“We are all for people who want to contribute their services, but not for full-time employment. They can volunteer, as in the teaching of English. Full-time employment is not for this kind of programme.