Roti canai or naan?
Naan.
Chinese, Indian or Malay food?
Chinese: Dim Sum and vegetarian rice.
Indian: Northern Indian.
Malay: Nasi
Lemak.
First word you learned in Malay?
Terima Kasih.
Favourite place in KL?
Anywhere the liberated hedonistic friends
are.
Favourite restaurant?
Too many to list, but can say currently: Il
Tempio and Nero Vivo.
Favourite shopping mall?
Starhill Gallery.
Do you use the word “lah”?
No, lah!
Can you count to 10 in Malay/Chinese or Tamil?
Satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima, enam, tujuh,
lapan, sembilan, ummmh...
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Where are you from?
Born in London but brought up in Upper
Poppleton, a pretty village a mile or so
outside the Roman City of York. I call myself
a Yorkshireman.
How long have you been in Malaysia?
On August 30, 1990 I arrived on Malaysian
soil, satisfying a longing l’d had for Asia,
in particular Malaysia, since reading “A
history of Malaya” aged 9. There were a
lot of pictures. That year was 1970 and that
book presented the excitement of adventure
and travel.
What brought you here to Malaysia to begin
with?
Plans were hatched to open an office in
Asia in 1989. My Father told me he thought
Singapore would be important to the plan,
l pointed out that l felt Singapore was an
expensive luxury for our new venture. The
final decision was put to the vote at a board
of director’s meeting in January 1990. I won
and flew MAS to Subang.
What was your first impression of KL/Malaysia?
Initially there was a certain plutocratic thrill.
However, one is impressed by the fact that
Barisan National is the oldest democratically
elected coalition government in the World
and l like living in the tropics. It suits me.
What was the biggest challenge you faced as an
expat?
Coming to terms with the liberated
hedonism of my new ‘gang’.
What is the first piece of advice you’d give to an
expat relocating to the Asian region?
If you are willing to accept and learn
different culture, the charm of the
Malaysians and their fascinating lifestyle
will fall into your lap like a ripe plum, and
you will not wish to leave.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
This is a demanding question and I would
like to claim the fifth. Having said that, l am
fond of a pint and a game of pool.
Favourite holiday destination in Malaysia?
The archipelago of Langkawi and the East
coast remains a magnet to me and mine.
Favourite holiday destination overseas?
My departure from England was a wrench at
the time, so l travel back at any opportunity.
I have family and friends there.
What do you miss most when you’re out of KL/
Malaysia?
If l am traveling solo, my partner. If l am
traveling with partner, our bungalow in
Melawati and four cats.
What do you consider to be the most beautiful
landmark in KL/Malaysia?
Historically: the limestone hills of Melawati.
Contemporary: the Petronas Twin Towers.
Both magnificent.
And the ugliest?
I find on close reflection, that l do not really
see ugly things… a great comfort. But if you
push me… l am not too keen on the blue
tiled roofs in the Cameron Highlands.
They jar.
Your most memorable Malaysian experience to
date?
Feeling very ‘nervy’ about this question
Editor. It has to be March 20. 1991. Ask and
l shall tell. I also had a memorable moment
when a certain Tan Sri once said; “If you
don’t know Nick Pinder, you don’t know
Kuala Lumpur”. I took it as a compliment
but l’m not sure it was.
Care to tell us a little about yourself?
Am happily partnered and celebrated my
forty six birthday quietly in Kuala Lumpur
earlier this month. From birth my life has
been defined by travel and a happy family
background. I come from a good family …
they were all brought up in the tradition
of being gentle people – l hope l have not
let them down. I have an aversion to the
anonymity of suburbia. I took much pleasure
watching the skyline of Kuala Lumpur
change during the 90’s. The Malaysian
government propagated my career when
they issued our publishing license in 2006. I
am happily publishing Malaysia’s popular
HOMME magazine. Now looking forward
and setting my sights on 2020.
“Selamat Merdeka Malaysia” |
