I'm visiting Penang in October - anyone want to meet?

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Hi Bob,
Welcome to Penang.
My hubby and I can arrange to meet up with you and your dear wife.... we can always work out a time...how to contact you?

As for the HSBC Premier Account. I guess your Primary Acc is in the UK and you have the Security Device with you. {Instructions from my hubby}:
Log on to the UK Acc the usual way, user name,password, Sec device generated code.
Enter Main Page.
Global View...click it (tap Global View)

A page will open with UK Acc data -
There's a link which you can click to ADD a country/territory.
Follow the instructions...if you have a Malaysia Premier Acc, you can add that into it.
You'll be asked the Details of the M'sia Premier Acc Log in Data eg Acc name, PIN....
Once Successfully Added the M'sian Acc to your UK Acc, the Global View Page will show your UK Acc Data as well as the M'sian Acc Data.
At the same time once you log in to the UK Acc when you navigate to the Global View, once in G.V. Page- you'll see both UK Acc data and M'sian Acc Data and at the same time there is a Link some thing like 'log on to acc in M'sia' - when you click that you'll log on to the M'sian Acc site without having to provide any log in data because that has already been given when you added the M'sian Acc to your UK Acc through the G.V. Function...meaning you can do banking with the M'sian Acc through the G.V.Page.

Hope this helps

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Bob,

Same comments as FCS I bank with HSBC ( both in Malaysia and Singapore) internet banking works fine. The added advantage is if , for example, you have a sterling account and have money transferred into it , you can then change it to any currency you want on line and transfer it to any other account you are holding world wide not only HSBC accounts.  An excellent service.

Cheers

Brian

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Hi to all,

John B
All my HSBC woes are sorted out, the problem was a faulty security device now it's a breeze. My relationship banker is Nima Dhansuklal who is pretty and efficient, what a good combination. We intend to move out here full time as soon as we sell our house in the UK, so it's in the lap of the gods. Unfortunately we will have left by the time you arrive, no doubt we will be in touch at some point.

Brian
The Adventist MM2h package seemed pretty thorough. All the test results confirmed my UK GPs findings. I think it probably was a promotion to encourage 2nd homers to register with the hospital.

Scott
I think that you may be right about the just getting the form completed however the questions on the form cannot be completed properly without the blood tests that were carried out. Hence I stick by my original comment about the dodgy doctor.

Fizzy
Thanks for the advice, now I have a working security device it's all fine.

BB
It would be great to meet up and I will send a PM with our handphone number so we can get in touch. We are staying at the Bayview Beach but we can meet anywhere.
Your instructions were spot on and are a good reference for any new Premier customer. Thanks

Regards

Bob

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Bob,

Sorry can't agree with your comment on the Medical form. Indeed, I used the GP that I registered with when I arrived in Malaysia last year. Not only is he not "dodgy" but he has a practice both in Gleneagles Hospital and the Curve in Damansara ( top of the range Mall). He trained in Newcastle and is an MRCP. As he pointed out the form to be filled in was mostly filled in by ourselves. I actually thought he went over the top in his examination considering what was required. His charge of RM 30 actually reflected what he felt he had done.  I think that paying RM200 for a medical of this sort is a waste of money. However, no doubt you seem happy with it which of course is the main thing.

Cheers

Brian

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Hi Bob,

Great you got the banking part sorted out
Just got home from dinner and shopping.
I've just sent you a PM and SMS.

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hi,

I checked today with HSBC in Singapore. They're internet savings account offers 3.10% for amounts up to Stg 49,999. And 2.05% for S$. Do you get more for stg with HSBC in Malaysia?

regards, Scott

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Hi Scott,

HSBC Sdn Bhd offers 5.5 to 5.7% for a one month Term Sterling deposit

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Glad you've arrived safely Bob! I've had confirmation that my HSBC bank account is open and ready so thats another hurdle out of the way. It will be interesting if the MM2H application dept stick to their 30 day processing time as per the emails sent to Scott.

I'll be flying off on Friday to KL and then will catch up with you in Penang later this month, I read on the internet that all the 'Pirated' DVD films and computer software have all gone (Not that I'd buy any in the first place!)

When I last came to KL and Penang they were everywhere, do you know if all the stalls/shops have been closed down?? Just thought I'd ask as you're over there, or indeed if anyone else over there knows if this is the case and if so what else has gone (watches, handbags etc)

Paul

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I wouldn't worry too much Paul. Things will be all back to 'normal' in a week or two when the focus shifts to things other than DVD's (maybe handbags) will be next, who knows what the whim will be.

This is the story of Malaysia - a little flurry of activity takes place to satisfy someone or something, and then it all dies down. It's the same with high profile court cases - the press has a field day for a few day and occasionally it may get exposure for a week or two and everyone is spurred into action & everything is going to change....a few weeks later it is all forgotten & some murderer gets off scott free whilst a minion may be given a short prison sentence!

Mass production of illegal DVD's may have taken a short term hit, but believe me you will still be able to acquire them albeit at a slightly higher price. However we would never buy stuff like that would we now??

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Hi Paul,

I think Fizzy is right about the DVDs I have not checked yet but I'm sure normal service will be resumed very soon.

We will see you in KL as we hope to stay at your Hotel for a couple of days 13-15. I'll let you know what happens.

With luck we are meeting BB on Saturday for a meal & a chat.

Have a good flight.

Bob

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Hi All,

DVDs still readily available in KL - bought a pile last week. Even got American Gangster ( just released last week in USA) excellent copies too. Still RM10 a pop. As FCS says a littel flurry every now and then and then back to business.

Cheers

Brian

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Thanks all, (not that I'd want to buy any) however it makes me feel better that they may or may not be available

Just finalising the last bits of packing, made sure I'd got the umbrellas!!

Petrol in the UK averaged over £1 PL yesterday!

Cheers

Paul

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hi,

Petrol prices in Singapore were increased yesterday to S$2 (RM4.6) per litre. For many years there's been the 3/4 tank rule - Singapore registered cars need to have a 3/4 full tank prior to going over the Causeway.

DVDs were readily available in Sitiawan when I left 1 week ago. They're RM8 each, and buy 5 get 1 free. DVDs were also available at the Yong Peng coach pit-stop. Same price.

regards, Scott

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Thanks for the info Scott, I've recently been browsing the NST and Star online and they seem concerned that prices have been increasing in Malaysia, I know its a little 'off topic' (As this is the coming to Penang - want to meet post) but have you noticed any significant changes to general pricing? Have any of your friends made mention to this?

Paul

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hi, Paul,

No problem with off-topic, we can always get back later.

I think that prices are pretty much the same, petrol is still heavily subsidised, and for me there's no notable price increases. Transport (petrol, taxes, insurance, coaches, buses), gas, elecricity, water and rent are all the same.

Food seems to be a bit higher than last year but not much, maybe 5% or 10% on some things. Recently the rice and 3 dishes (help yourself servings) at my local vegetarian restaurant went up from RM2.60 to RM2.80 per plate. I know, it's criminal.

Bread prices have gone up the past couple of weeks due to the rise in the price of flour. There's a local, traditional bakery down my way. Brick ovens, wood fired, great bread. When I was last there, the baker apologised that the price of his medium white loaf had gone up 10 sen. It was now RM1.20 per loaf, and it's straight from the oven.

regards, Scott