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Happy in their second home
2011/06/22

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Chef Moretto Fabrizio, an Italian, with his Malaysian wife and children.
Chef Moretto Fabrizio, an Italian, with his Malaysian wife and children.
South Korean Lee Dong-il examining a patient at his Chinese medicine clinic in Taman Pelangi, Johor Baru.
South Korean Lee Dong-il examining a patient at his Chinese medicine clinic in Taman Pelangi, Johor Baru.
LEE Dong-il, 42, of Seoul, South Korea, is among the many foreigners who settled down in Iskandar Malaysia because of its development potential and affordable cost of living.

He participated in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme that allows foreigners, who fulfil the criteria, to stay in Malaysia on a multiple-entry social visit pass.

Dong-il completed his studies in Chinese medicines at Beijing University of Chinese Medicines, and worked in Beijing and Seoul for several years before he decided to come to Malaysia with his wife, Lee Hye Sun, 34, seven years ago.


He said it was a trend then among the Koreans to venture overseas.

Dong-il came to Singapore in October 2004. He also visited Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru and Jakarta, Indonesia, in his bid to choose a city to set up business and settle down.

After two months, he decided to settle down in Johor Baru. He set up a Chinese medicine clinic in Taman Pelangi.


He said he chose Johor Baru for two reasons: the city had lower cost of living compared with the other cities he visited and its transport system was well developed.

"The weather is good, with no natural disasters. With a large Chinese population here, I have no language barrier and they are my potential clients.

"I also like the food and the people are friendly, too.


"Moreover, the city's proximity to Singapore is important as the many Korean expatriates there are my potential clients."

Lee goes back to Seoul every year to visit his family and to source for herbs and medical equipment.

His wife is actively involved in non-governmental organisations while their two children, aged 3 and 5, are studying in a local kindergarten.

Chef Moretto Fabrizio, 38, who hails from Milan, Italy, did not participate in the MM2H programme as he is married to a Malaysian.

He said being a chef gave him the opportunity to travel around the world. He started working at an international restaurant chain in Kuala Lumpur in 1997. He met his girlfriend Yew Phin Phin, 32, who worked in the hotel line, two years later.

They tied the knot in 2001 and worked in the United Kingdom for two years before they decided to return to Malaysia in 2003.

"Since my wife is from Batu Pahat, we planned to settle down in Johor Baru as I liked the city better than Kuala Lumpur.

"I opened the first Italian restaurant at the Serene Park in Johor Baru in 2003 as there were not many Western restaurants at that time. We moved to the present site in Taman Pelangi this year," said Fabrizio.

"I made the right decision in choosing Johor Baru, which is part of the robust Iskandar Malaysia growth area.

"I can get whatever I want here. If I could not find it, I only need to cross the Causeway."

Fabrizrio, who runs the Rosmarino Italian Restaurant, has two children, Matteo, 6, and Jessica, 4, who are studying in a local kindergarten.

Read more: Happy in their second home http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/12lee/Article#ixzz1PyZj4gBh