Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by FreshJives

I also have to start to plan for my retirement here in batam.. .getting soon to 50 liao.

Hmm...the thing about retiring in Batam for me doesnt mean i am giving Singapore up. Its more of trying to make both ends meet.

Some 4 odd years back, if anyone has been reading the old Batam thread before this one starts, on Samat the 81 years old security guard who passed on in Batam. He has a home there (in Batam) but still working in Singapore. Not a rich man, but his life in Batam...i envied.

What i found out about him after his death :

1. He is still a Singaporean upon death.

2. He goes back to Batam once every around 10 days or so for 2 to 3 days.

3. He didnt owe anyone money and is financially sound enough to afford all the necessities (even tho he chose to sell away his HDB flat but that was after he's 65). When i 1st know him, he's already in his 70s.

4. After he pass on, he left enough money for his family, or the least enough for his 2 children and wife to reach adulthood in Batam.

5. The Singapore consulate covers all his death/hospital expense. His family in Batam pays zero dollar.

I am using his life like some kind of a guideline, and in hope to do better. And following behind me while i plan my retirement, i hope others could do better than i did.

Looking at example of a good life in Batam above, i also constantly reminds myself one of the cleaner in the same old building i used to work in who also choose to retire in Batam. He didnt have a good one, in fact he pass on penniless. His life saving,inclusive his money money he got from selling his flat sucked dry...that guy from the way i look at it, completely didnt plan at all.

1. Stayed with a girl who already got a husband - not divorced,still alive.

2. The girl he stayed with got a 18 year old daughter, he married the daughter when she turn 19 instead. He is in his 60s then. (he passed on at about age 68,if i didnt remember wrong).

3. He bought a house (not apartment) in Batam under the girl's daughter's name.

4. The girl, her husband and her daughter sold away the house and ran away.

5. Upon death, according to his other colleagues, left behind nothing for his sister who helps settled his remains. I dont know if he owe anyone anything, but some of the security guards did lent him some money before (everyone in the building knew he often goes around trying to borrow money). He still owe me S$10 few months before he passed on which i told no need to return tho.

Needless to say, the cleaner's life in Batam is not what i am looking forward to. Nor will it be a life anyone who wish to retire in Batam would look forward to. Both person mentioned here speaks the Malay language and were Singaporean upon death and i have learned quite a bit from both before i decide on my retirement in Batam.

Hehehe...i remember i used to talk about sustainability. I am doing many fun stuffs in Batam today which might just help me in sustaining my future lifestyle when i reach my retirement age hence to me, Batam is like a RPG game for me.

Example :

(i am not talking about the cat in the photo below,hehehe..)

Originally Posted by nono1973

(my new clock to bring to Batam soon)

Next to look upon would be USB charging lighter to bring to Batam,hehehe...what would most smoker do after finish using their lighters? Most probably throw them away, right...but what if a lighter can be charge via USB or from the power socket? Hehehe...such lighters do exist on earth,just that it cost around 20 over times compared to conventional lighters.

Friends in Batam who are smokers, i maybe coming for you around end of 2019...hehehe...or beginning 2020. Those who joined in my temple trip/s before, those lighters can be use to light incense too.

Let's do our part/s to save the earth together.

Enjoy Batam!

* see the fun now?

[Mistrevia]

BBM chat shut down end of May. Guess back to wechat with ceweks.

[means]

Hi,

Does anyone know where to buy fresh tongkat ali / ubi jaga in pills at any recommended toko obat or apotek?

My uncle colleague knows I frequent batam so he is asking me to help him get lol.

Appreciate if anyone can share. DM me too if its not convenient in this thread.

SIC

-Means

[fde83]

whats bbm? I heard experience bros here says, find cewek now in michat.

[Johnny85]

Will be doing a solo trip 01/06 - 03/06. Anyone going?

[retirebatam]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Hmm...the thing about retiring in Batam for me doesnt mean i am giving Singapore up. Its more of trying to make both ends meet.

Some 4 odd years back, if anyone has been reading the old Batam thread before this one starts, on Samat the 81 years old security guard who passed on in Batam. He has a home there (in Batam) but still working in Singapore. Not a rich man, but his life in Batam...i envied.

I am using his life like some kind of a guideline, and in hope to do better. And following behind me while i plan my retirement, i hope others could do better than i did.

About 10 years back when I was working in a building in Bukit Batok, I knew a chinese old man cleaner in his 70s by the name of Mr Chua who often goes to Batam to have fun.

Although he was single, he ended up fallen in love with a booking cewek who came from kalimantan. He rented a house for her at the outskirt of batam city and gave her money to do business. He travelled to batam to stay for 3-4 days every month. His salary was about $750 per month during that time and has invested more than S$50,000 which is inclusive of all his CPF withdrawal, life savings for the cewek.

Soon after few years has passed,she told him that she has lost all the money invested in the business and even dared to ask for more. But during that time, Mr Chua was diagnosed with cancer and physically unable to go to Batam anymore as he became weak and often require to do chemotherapy.

In the end he also lost his job and financially unstable. He stayed with one of his sibling as he could not afford a flat. The indonesian woman also did not bother to visit him in singapore as she was only concerned about money. All his hard earned money was gone..

From this example, I have learn a few things:

1) Always buy the milk but not the cow.

2) No real love between a Working Lady and a Cheongster

3) Never 100% trust a working lady’s words.

4) Must plan for retirement early. Still working at the age of 70s is quite pathetic.

5) Do not use CPF savings to splurge on cewek or else all hard earned money will be kena sucked dry dry..

6) Remember the saying…No money, No honey. This is a very realistic world. Usually people with money will be treated with due respect.

钱并不是万能的，但没钱是万万不能的

[PowerBenz]

Just found out that when eating acia ikan baka next to da vienna they dont charge tax when eating there..But when you buy for take away they charge 10% tax extra...

[fde83]

Wah!! Now hbf got Mr teh tarik express. Can drink while waiting for feri eh

[ciwilover]

hi i am new here i just got 2 free ticket to batam and OC going for holiday next week i alrdy started to over think

[sohbuckkong]

Hi, in batam are there dirty bars just like those dirty bars in joo chiat or geylang whereby we can caress and dig her cheebye.

At least 25yrs ago, in johore bahru, there are bars whereby the girls wear kimonos and under the kimonos, she wear nothing. So when she open the kimonos, we can grope her breast, buttock and dig her cheebye, she also do blowjob inside the bars.
Thanks

[BFOMF5]

Originally Posted by fde83

Wah!! Now hbf got Mr teh tarik express. Can drink while waiting for feri eh

Kfc also coming

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by Naka_Timo

Wow, nice one. Batam have this type bo? if have intro me leh...

The photo not in Batam bro. Its a place near to Singapore,hehehe...looks enticing but who knows may end up having no hanky panky at the end of the day.

I was actually about to tell you Batam no such thing, but after thinking for a bit...hmm...you can try looking around for Batam salon that has half-blocked partition,hehehe...meaning its not those fully covered up the ceiling kind of partition but half. Each sitting will have a partition or 2 sitting customer one partition kind. If you can find those , 90% chance that salon shop will have hanky panky,hehehe...

Most indonesian girls are just too shy to allow another person watching them and their serving customer openly having hanky panky, even KTV girls too.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by Splitter100

Side track a little
Bringing whole kampung over to Batam this weekend
Any good shops to recommend for my OC and relatives?
Massage + pedicure + manicure + facial

Originally Posted by miumiu6464

Eska Spa at both Nagoya Hill Mall and Mega Mall has all services you listed, plus hairdressing as well.

Eska can be a good choice. A bro previously here mentioned about Eska Hotel around Kepril Mall area which has everything under one roof ,not a bad choice tho.

https://samsforum.asia/showthread.php?p=...post18723 238

The only setback would be, area is far from cheonging area. If its on family fun trip, this one not bad. Just a gentle reminder, Hari Raya is on the 5th June, this weekend is 1st and 2nd of June.

Enjoy your trip.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by retirebatam

Yes, everyone’s lifestyle during retirement differs. One must have proper financial planning before going into retirement so that his retirement life will not get disrupted halfway..

Retirement planning basically to ensure that :

i)There is a steady flow of income for the retiree for the rest of his life after he has stopped working.

ii) Retirement expenditure to be budgeted carefully, including taking into account those hidden or indirect costs. Also to ensure that monthly retirement income must be more than the expenditure. The surplus after expenditure can then be accumulated to enhance the savings. And the cycle goes on.

iii)Must reserve funds for medical treatment and unforeseen circumstances like emergency.

iv) Liquidity of asset is an important factor as it is the ability you have to convert any asset into cash quickly as you may need it urgently. Cash is the best.

v)The monthly retirement income must not be subjected to too much fluctuation.

This is good information for me, and duly noted with sincere thanks. And i do consider all you have mentioned above in my Batam retirement plan, especially so on (iv). I do take into consideration on (iv) even when i make my plans on buying properties in Batam too.

How fast can it be sold when i need them sold?

As well as other trivial things which i took into consideration...

1. Who's gonna paint/clean my external block wall every 5 years? (just look at the condition of Batam Queen Victoria apartment blocks after 5 odd years,hehehe..)

2. Who's gonna fix my apartment when there's a leak on my ceiling? (since MOST apartment owners wont be at home in Batam)

3. Will there even be a rubbish chute? (i am saying, how they gonna manage their rubbish from those apartment blocks and not who will,hehehe..)

4. Lift breakdown? Hehehe...not that i am stingy, but i am considering buying lower floors than higher floors for this reason. Pros and cons, and i will need to bear with the mosquitoes (easy for me).

Many would feel that i think too much or just being kiasu. One of the other factor which i REALLY REALLY MUST consider before purchase is...who's the management and how efficient they are (even after i have cut expectation by half).

Originally Posted by retirebatam

The monthly maintenance fee for JB condo unit per month range from RM 100 plus to RM 300 plus. However not familiar how much is the maintenance fee charge at Formosa Residence or Citra Plaza studio apartment ?

Thank you for reminding me to ask them,hehehe...i completely forget about it. But base on what i am looking, it probably wont cost much since there are so many units in one single floors and they have such high storey condos. Then again, i still need to ask as i need to know too.

For maintenance in Sillypore condos, the lesser the total number of units in a block, the higher the amount. Which is why i guessed it wont cost more than S$480/month comparing it with a 33 units in a single block condominium,hehehe...HDB 3 room flat is about S$45/month tho.

Originally Posted by retirebatam

Due to the frequent devaluation of the indonesian currency, many businessman or property buyer loan large amount of rupiah as over time, the currency becomes devalue and so are the loan rupiah amount.
Thus in this way,the loan interest will be off set by the devaluation of the rupiah..

That is why many indonesian businessman loan rupiah from bank for doing business but quickly convert their surplus business profit from rupiah into US dollar or Sing dollar to grow their profit..

Hmm...this one is interesting, and i learned something. Will be looking further on it.

Thank you again for sharing.

Originally Posted by retirebatam

About 10 years back when I was working in a building in Bukit Batok, I knew a chinese old man cleaner in his 70s by the name of Mr Chua who often goes to Batam to have fun.

Although he was single, he ended up fallen in love with a booking cewek who came from kalimantan. He rented a house for her at the outskirt of batam city and gave her money to do business. He travelled to batam to stay for 3-4 days every month. His salary was about $750 per month during that time and has invested more than S$50,000 which is inclusive of all his CPF withdrawal, life savings for the cewek.

Soon after few years has passed,she told him that she has lost all the money invested in the business and even dared to ask for more. But during that time, Mr Chua was diagnosed with cancer and physically unable to go to Batam anymore as he became weak and often require to do chemotherapy.

In the end he also lost his job and financially unstable. He stayed with one of his sibling as he could not afford a flat. The indonesian woman also did not bother to visit him in singapore as she was only concerned about money. All his hard earned money was gone..

Looking from another angle of view,i cannot blame these older generation of seniors. Most were lesser educated, they werent able to manage or plan their finance as well as the current newer generation. To make matter worse, there use to be a saying, never eat pork also ever seen a pig run before （没吃过猪肉，也该见过猪跑), and Mr Chua's generation seriously havent seen pig run nor eat pork much during his time.

The newer generation,like ours...has seen and hear many stories in Batam as mentioned by you and me, either thru friends,the newspaper or even from reading this thread. But what about Mr Chua's generation whom you said was in his 70s or 80s? It was "his generation" that make those "mistakes" so our current generation gets to read and learn from it, so as we could avoid making the same or similar mistake/s. Thats why so often, i much appreciate senior bros here who shared their past experience on Batam.

* few months ago,i got some chance to interview handful of older Singaporean who were born in the 30s and 40s, hence i was somehow able to look at things from their perspective. People can say, the past has more opportunities,compare to present but then out of 1000 back then from the past, how many can REALLY "make it" in life?

** their generation were "once upon a time" where a group of young boys who would stand together in the same roll behind the five-foot-way to masturbate and challenging each other who will fire off their cum the furthest...hehehe...winner wins the bet (beside just catching spiders etc).

Originally Posted by retirebatam

From this example, I have learn a few things:

1) Always buy the milk but not the cow.

2) No real love between a Working Lady and a Cheongster

3) Never 100% trust a working lady’s words.

4) Must plan for retirement early. Still working at the age of 70s is quite pathetic.

5) Do not use CPF savings to splurge on cewek or else all hard earned money will be kena sucked dry dry..

6) Remember the saying…No money, No honey. This is a very realistic world. Usually people with money will be treated with due respect.

Some time when i look at those failed situations and while i pity their ending, i also envy them (i envied their fun time they got and not their ending). At the least, these group of seniors have had their best form of fun during their younger days. Their respective ending were result of the choice they made thereafter.

An old chinese saying goes like that, some pitiful people, surely have something they did not right in their life - 可怜之人，必有可恨之处。

[retirebatam]

Originally Posted by nono1973

How fast can it be sold when i need them sold?

The ease of selling off your condo unit in Batam depends on the following :

1) Location of your property.
If you buy a property outside nagoya / batam centre (suburb area), then expect to take more time to find a buyer because less likely the buyer will be a foreigner but more likely to be a local thus less chance to sell it off. Thus location of property no doubt is the most important factor to consider. Best to buy either near ferry terminals like batam center or harbourbay mall areas like jodoh. (harboubay residence) or alternatively buy one near nagoya hill mall (citra plaza). Avoid buying those property that is far away from city as those location requires private transport like personal car or ojek. (example Tiban area, Bengkong, Batu Aji, etc)

2) Selling price of your property unit.
If sell your property very much above the valuation price, then expect it to take longer period to sell.

3) Current property market status.
Now is the buyer’s market meaning that buyer is at the advantage since they have more option of properties to choose to buy from (since supply is more than demand) while the seller is slightly at the losing end.

4) Condition of your condo/apartment unit
A renovated or fully furnished and well maintain unit can be sold off easier than an unfurnished or run down unit with many defects.

5) Marketing strategy
How fast can sell the property depends on whether you use agent to sell or advertisement through newspaper, etc.