On 28 May, 13:44, Faisal wrote:
> If you're reading this, then you're probably looking for a more
> adventurous retirement option. Well, you've come to the right place. I
> hope this can ease your burden to decide on where to retire. Here are
> the Top 8 reasons, why Malaysia can be the best place to retire:
>
> 1. Your Dollars, Pounds or Euros buy so much more in Malaysia!
> Cheap places to live, cheap food and drink means you can retire on
> less money or retire while you're still young enough to fully enjoy
> life. Depending on where you choose to live, your existing resources
> and foreign income (including internet income) can buy more (5 to 10
> times) the value for similar items and services in the USA, Canada or
> Europe. Property purchase, lease or rental, food, drink, domestic
> services such as cooking, housekeeping - even medical care can be
> incredibly cheap compared to what you're used to.
>
> 2. Kuala Lumpur is the cheapest city in the world!
> It is! - according to report compiled by Swiss Bank UBS - (published
> in The Star Aug, 10 2006).You can enjoy a lifestyle far, far better
> than that available in most Western countries, with the same funds.
>
> 3. Everybody's rushing to come to Malaysia
> Take a look at this quote from this article from Reuters: "In the last
> four years, nearly 10,000 people have taken advantage of Malaysia's
> package of a 10-year renewable multiple entry visa, tax exemption on
> pensions, a waiver of import and sales tax for vehicles, and
> permission to import domestic staff"
>
> 4. Just about everybody speaks English!
> English is a compulsory subject in schools. All foreign movies and TV
> programs are not dubbed to the local language. Asking directions from
> an old lady or visiting rural villages will not be a hassle at all
>
> 5. Close to nearby travel hotspots
> Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the
> Philippines) all within a few hour's travel from Malaysia, but miles
> of beaches and numerous coastal islands add to its tropical appeal
>
> 6. Its just simply Shopper's Paradise
> Most of the items that tourists normally like to buy - perfumes,
> cosmetics, watches, fountain pens, a long list of electronic goods,
> branded goods etc. are completely free of tax. Quality goods from all
> over the world are imported and are relatively low in price and sold
> throughout Malaysia
>
> 7. An abundant list of activities to be done
> Malaysia has many diverse offers; from the best diving spots, to the
> oldest rainforest in the world. If you feel up to it, you can get your
> hands on beaches, scuba diving, boating, fishing, off road 4WD
> adventures, camping, hiking, swimming, golf, swinging in a hammock
> under a shade tree, site seeing, water parks, highlands, villages, bar
> hopping, nite clubbing, movies, restaurants, malls, modern shopping.
> Its all here! Furthermore, Malaysia is such a small country, all these
> locations are within hours (drive, much less with flights) from each
> other!
>
> 8. International Food & Fruits
> In today's Malaysia, most towns have large shopping malls stocked with
> produce from all over the world so expatriate and retirees are not
> denied a plentiful supply of those favourite items which, in earlier
> decades, often led to suitcases being filled with one or two year's
> supply of 'vital' necessities such as Marmite and Paxo Stuffing. But
> there's so much local varieties, there won't be enough time to eat
> that pasta
>
> So there you go. These are the top 8, but as usual, the list goes
> on....
>
> Faisal is a professional who works in a prominent multinational
> company. His main interests are travel, cooking and playing music. He
> has helped numerous foreign friends to retire in Malaysia either from
> his ex-colleagues at work, or simply people he met during his travel
> or from the internet. Now, he has published a book on this topic,
> available athttp://www.BestGuideToMalaysia.com
>
> He's been to places like United States of America, United Kingdom, The
> Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic and
> around South East Asia.
>
> His passion is meeting new local and international friends. Faisal
> participates in a peace promoting organisation under the United
> Nations called SERVAS. He is also a member of HospitalityClub.org and
> GlobalFreeLoaders.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6703155.stm
9. freedom of religion
Malaysia rejects Christian appeal
Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ms Joy was disowned by her family and forced to quit her job
Malaysia's highest court has rejected a Muslim convert's six-year
battle to be legally recognised as a Christian.
A three-judge panel ruled that only the country's Sharia Court could
let Azlina Jailani, now known as Lina Joy, remove the word Islam from
her identity card.
Malaysia's constitution guarantees freedom of worship but says all
ethnic Malays are Muslim. Under Sharia law, Muslims are not allowed to
convert.
Ms Joy said she should not be bound by that law as she is no longer a
Muslim.
Death threats
Malaysia's Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim said the
panel endorsed legal precedents giving Islamic Sharia courts
jurisdiction over cases involving Muslims who want to convert.
About 200 protesters shouted "Allah-o-Akbar" (God is great) outside
the court when the ruling was announced.
"You can't at whim and fancy convert from one religion to another,"
Ahmad Fairuz said.
Ms Joy's case has tested the limits of religious freedom in Malaysia.
She started attending church in 1990 and was baptised in 1998.
In 2000, Ms Joy, 42, went to the High Court after the National
Registration Department refused to remove "Islam" from the religion
column on her identity card. The court said it was a matter for Sharia
courts. Tuesday's ruling marked the end of her final appeal.
Ms Joy has been disowned by her family and forced to quit her job. She
went into hiding last year. A Muslim lawyer who supported her case
received death threats.
Sharia courts decide on civil cases involving Malaysian Muslims -
nearly 60% of the country's 26 million people - while ethnic
minorities such as Chinese and Indians are governed by civil courts in
the multi-racial country.
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