Actually a number of them offers extended period of promotion, subject to different terms and conditions

I said two different things in that posts. Fun dive trip with B&J Tioman; AOW with Quiver Perhentian

Why wait? I just did my AOW at Perhentian. Whole small island probably only 1 dive shop in operation and only like less than 10 customers including myself.

"in operation"

Monsoon closing in and sea is getting choppier, most shops closed off for the season for now.

Did you read the Wikitravels' "When to go" part?

start by watching PADI open water course video on youtube.

Perhaps it is a good idea to have a full height mirror inside the pools used for training. I find it hard to know whether I'm in a good trim.
All these while I thought I was doing ok, but during a recent trip my buddy show me pictures of me in a shrimpfish position.

but that you only get feedback after you are out of water...isn't it better if you can catch that feeling and adjust it when in water...much akin to a the mirror walls inside gyms and dance rooms...so you get immediate feedback

bum bum no, pom pom yes.
generally semporna waters are great, easily beats any east coast islands.