langkawi-gazette

[Mark]

Hi everybody!! :-))

Since a few minutes my

www.langkawi-gazette.com

is online.

A lot is still missing etc. etc. - but you will get the picture of what is intended.
There is no 'forum' - at least for some time to come - on the gazette.

What you can do there, is placing ads. Classified Ads and Business Ads.
For the first 3 months ALL ads are completely free - so if you have a business, you can  promote it in the Gazette for free - with no obligations at all.

I am also working on a real Langkawi Business Directory. Here the basic information is not only free - it will be put in by myself. This means, we will have every important company on this list with the time.

And: I am working on the 'Night-Life' Information: which live band plays where etc.

The Gazette is Expat orientated - and not tourist-orientated.
Therefore it is not a competition to Langkawi-Online.

I hope you will like it, or at least some of the ideas, and use it in the future!

If someone wants to help to create this Gazette and take some responsibility - or just exchange ideas - come to the first Gazette Redaction Council in the PIER Restaurant on the 12 February. (Drinks are free).

I am thankful for any feedback. Constructive critique is very welcome!

Cheers
Mark

[Bobtalbot]

Mark,
        Congratulations for setting up the Gazette- hopefully many expats will either participate or benefit
        from the articles appearing in it.
        I believe there is a lot of confusion concerning MM2H programme ( do you have to go thru agents/   income        requirements etc or the best way in which to proceed to obtain a visa).
Home ownership is another area which seems to have created confusion.Some think that you must go thru MM2H to be able to purchase a home.Perhaps someone will enlighten your viewing public
.Likewise with best ways to transfer currency etc.Hope to be there on the 12th.
regards Bob T

       
         

[Mark]

Bob,

thanks you for your encourraging words.

In re to 2nd Home I know from an insider, that there have been about a dozen people involved in it on this island so far and that the regulations (conditions) were DIFFERENT for EACH person!.
So - if you are here - and interested in this, give me a call and I can bring you together with the right person in re to the latest informations. (No finances involved...lol!)

In re to buying - I don't know much, as I have not the money for it...:-)) but be aware that there are different kind of land on Langkawi with different restrictions. Looks like a jungle to me - and you have to get orientated before acting... Most land bought be Westerners is Bumiputra land - and you can officially not buy it  ......but you can make it go right. It seems. Hopefully...

An other way to (practically) secure a longterm stay here is by opening a business. Registrating a company and then get a 2 year workpermit which it seems, can be easily renewed. This is a whole process - and I am in the middle of it at the moment...

Cheers
Mark

[Bobtalbot]

Mark,
         it all sounds as if it is a "bit of a minefield" out there and no wonder people become confused and give up the idea of living in Malaysia.Contradictary advice/ statements  seems to come from different sources.It would be great to listen  to( a guest speaker?) someone who could give good sensible/practical advice on best ways to obtain necessary visa/ house purchase/driving licence situation etc.
I  was told that 14000RM was the income requirement.If it is 10000RM/month as one "agent" states in his blurb, the income requirement still seems rather excessive and will severely reduce the number of applicants.I would guess that there must be plenty of people not hitting that income level (I,m one ),but probably have sufficient funds in the bank to last them the remainder of their lives( house sale etc ).Aren,t those agents fees a trifle expensive as well ?
Thats enough from me- hopefully see you on the 12th ( if I can find it )
regards Bob T

[Mark]

Hi Bob

Im pretty sure you will find Langkawi... :-))

'Our'  'problem' is the 'western approach'.

We think 'laws are laws' and 'rules are rules' - yes they are here also - BUT :-))) and I could tell you a story or two, all about incredible things done completely legally and recommended through the lawyers.... So the confusion is working for both sides. Not only against you.

There is no set of rules that could not be looked at in one way or the other. So the approach, the knowing of the right people, the compariosn of how you can obtain what where through whom.... is the most important thing.

Instead of asking 'what do I have the right to do or have here' - one should simply ask 'how do we make this or that possible'.

It works fine normally - and people are very helpful, also in the governmemnt - if duly respected and if you deal with the right level.:-). Lower levels might be confused or fear to overstep their competence.

So don't be afraid of the 'mine-field'. Normally nothing blows up - but yes, one could loose a fair bit of money for nothing if one is not knowledgable. Just don't rush into anything.

See you soon!

Mark

[Bobtalbot]

Knew I had seen that Pier restaurant sign -- just took a while to remember where!Called in lunchtime today !
regards Bob

[Mark]

Great Bob - as I misunderstood you.
So you are allready on Langkawi and now also know where the Pier is.
See how little I know about you...
But we will change that.
Im looking forward to meet you - :-))

Mark

For those who do not know where the Pier is - there is a little blog -
www.pierblog.org
which contains a little map how to find it.

[Mark]

The Issue 2 of the Langkawi-Gazette is up.

[no adverts]

How do you go around building a House?
How do you get a Work Permit?
How do you register your own Company?

And many many more things.

Who wants can put ads in - still for free.

Ma :)rk