Monthly Archives: April 2011

Social & Economics

Bill on Foreigners Buying Properties in Indonesia

The Indonesia government is still pondering on a bill that allows foreigners to buy properties in Indonesia on a longer lease that range from 70 to 90 years lease. This is to boost the demand on the property market especially on major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya. Allowing foreigners to buy on a longer lease period will increase the revenue of the government through tax and investment.  The current status is that foreigners are not allowed to buy land or landed properties, and also not allow to buy any building or apartment build on freehold land. I think this status will remain in force with the exception of apartments build on leasehold land.

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Bill on Foreigners buying properties in Indonesia
Bill on Foreigners buying properties in Indonesia

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Does this bill look attractive to foreign investors? In a way it is a beginning of a process to liberate the property market in Indonesia. It would be better if the leasehold period is 99 years instead of the maximum 90 years lease. That will make it look more attractive to foreigners. The bill should also make it easier for foreigners to borrow money from local Indonesian banks up to a maximum of 70%  from the purchase or valuation price of the property. This will help to boost the business of the local banks as well. Laws with regard to rights of foreign ownerships to the purchased properties, taxes and duties, the right to resell and transfer should also be made transparent and clear. The problem with Indonesia is that it is a country with too many loose laws and by-laws, making it so confusing for foreigners and even local Indonesians. Foreigners purchasing these apartments should also have the right to lease it out immediately, the right to resell and the properties should be free from emcumbrances.

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Foreigners Buying Properties in Indonesia
Foreigners Buying Properties in Indonesia

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Gradually the Indonesian government should looked into the ownership of freehold property by foreigners. They could start by imposing strict restriction in terms of rights to resell only after say 10 years from the date of purchase, capital gain tax ( to prevent speculation ) and restriction such as allowing foreigners to purchase only high end properties – such as properties above US$300,000.

Good Advice

Ways to Prevent ATM Robberies in Jakarta

Recently there has been an increase in the number of ATM robberies in Jakarta. The police had asked the banks to increase the security of the ATMs by employing more securing guards in shopping malls and convenience stores. The police had also recommended the installation of more closed circuit television ( CCTV ) around the compound of the ATM.  I think most banks will comply to enhance the security of their ATMs. However we must not just leave the issue of security to the police and the banks. I believe there are things that we can do to prevent ourselves from being a victim of robbery at the ATMs.  Let me just share some tips and steps which I personally use whenever I need to use a ATM machine to withdraw cash.

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Steps to take to prevent ATM Robberies
Steps to take to prevent ATM Robberies

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1) No all ATM machines are safe. Remember just because a ATM machine is there doesn’t mean that it is safe to use.  ATM machines that are in remote area/quiet or hidden by walls, pillars, large trees or any obstruction are not safe to use. If you really need to use them, asked 2 of your adult friends or family members to accompany you.

2) Use ATM machines that are in crowded open area ( along a busy walkway or street ), well lighted and with heavy traffic. For example I would normally use ATM machines that are installed within the bank premises, beside a supermarket, inside a crowded shopping mall or ideally even beside a police station.

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Use ATM machines that are in the bank and on busy streets.
Use ATM machines that are in the bank and on busy streets.

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3) If you are withdrawing a large sum of money from the ATM, get 2 adults to accompany you and use a ATM that is safe ( as mentioned above). Alternatively make multiple withdrawals within one or two days so that you don’t withdraw lots of money at one single time.

4) Do not use the ATM during late night as most robberies happened during the night. You may make a safe withdrawal from a ATM at a supermarket, but you may be robbed as you leave the supermarket to your car or along the pedestrian walkway.

5) Look out for suspicious people hanging around the ATM machine. Scan the area for people loitering within 5 metres of the ATM machine. If you see a person sitting in his car/bike, or someone just loitering around be more alert. If you do not feel safe at that time, move on. You can find alternative ATM machine to use.

6) keep a list of ATM machines in your work or home areas that are safe to use. This list will come in handy just in case you need to make an emergency withdrawal of funds.

7) If you see someone suddenly approaching you while you are in the middle of a transaction, terminate the transaction straight away. Asked the stranger sternly what is it that he wants from you? Remember to remove the bank card and put it safely in your pocket. If the stranger refused to moved off, raised your voice to attract attention or simply walked away from the ATM machine to a crowded area.

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Use ATM machine during the day and on high traffic area.
Use ATM machine during the day and on high traffic area.

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8) most robberies occur after the ATM cash transaction has been completed. Once the cash had been withdrawn by the victim, the robber would moved in quickly to grap the cash. The robber would normally warned the victim that he has a concealed weapon in his pocket. Do not fight with the robber, just hand the cash over to him and remember his features. When you are safe, immediately asked for help from strangers and call the police.

The above are the steps that you can take to ensure safety when using the ATM machines. ATM machines are now part of our daily life and we used it without much thought. With a little planning and an awareness to safety, we can ensure that the cash that has been withdrawn from the ATM machines safely goes into our wallets.

Food

Local food in Jakarta

Most people in Jakarta loved to hang around in shopping malls and that is the reason why there are so many shopping malls in this city of Jakarta. There will be plenty of food outlets and a main food court in almost every mall. People will have their meals at these food outlets because of the convenience, reasonable prices ( though some food outlets are expensive) and tasty food. But I feel that the food sold in many of these shopping malls taste almost the same and it is very boring. The food that I ate in these shopping malls are either too salty, too sweet or taste flat. Perhaps it is because these food are meant to be cook very quickly to serve the consumers.

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Local Food in Jakarta

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Normally I will try to find better quality food whenever I am in Indonesia. Quality here does not imply higher prices than those charged in restaurants or food outlets in the hotels or malls. Some of the better quality food in fact cost less than what I pay while eating at the beautiful shopping malls.  So whenever I have the time, I will visit these warungs ( small businesses selling food ) which are small restaurants or food outlets. You can normally find them along the streets. Some of these warungs are located on the busy main streets, while others you need to find them as they are located on minor roads. Many of these warungs are simply small family owned businesses and they serve authentic local Indonesian food. To me, these restaurants are the real deal. It is almost like eating food cooked by your mum or grandmother at home.

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Warung Food in Jakarta
Warung Food in Jakarta

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The cost of eating at these warungs are lesser than those restaurants in shopping malls or in hotels. Always ask for their in house specialty dish when you are there. However be prepared to have a less cosy or comfortable environment in some of these warungs. Well if you are there for the delicious food, a table and some chairs will suffice. There is no need for some fancy decoration on the walls or pretty waitresses in smart uniform to serve you. The atmosphere in these warungs are definitely more informal and casual; and I liked it because it is more relaxing. Normally you will also get to see the boss there who will be there either taking your orders, serving or even cooking the food.
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Warung Chef
Warung Chef

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There are many small restaurants in Jakarta serving a variety of food, snacks, deserts and drinks. Some of them served pretty good coffee and tea, in fact better than Star Bucks or Coffee Bean. And I loved the traditional Indonesian cakes and deserts to go along with my tea. So many young people in Jakarta loved to hang around in slick coffee joints in the mall; but for me I prefer the small family coffee shops in Jakarta. In other words, what is important to me is the food – it has to be delicious, good quality and taste like home food.

Art

VIP Orchids at Orchids Garden – Dendrobium Tien Soeharto

I was in Singapore Botanical Gardens recently and visited the Orchids Garden there. There is a section where you can find beautiful orchids named after Very Important People ( VIP ). These VIPs were either the Head of State in the government or from the Royal family. Surprisingly I saw a orchid that was named after the late Tien Soeharto, whom was the wife of the former President of Indonesia Mr Soeharto.  In Indonesia, she was commonly known as Ibu Tien. The orchid is named Dendrobium Tien Soeharto.

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VIP Orchid - Singapore OrchidsGarden

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I think the orchid Dendrobium Tien Soeharto is a bright and beautiful orchid. It is bright yellow in color with some elements of green color added to it. This orchid was named after her in 1974 when Ibu Tien visited the Singapore Botanical Gardens. There were many other orchids named after different VIPs such as Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of Britain and even Princess Masako of Japan. The Orchid Garden is a must visit place if you are in Botanical Gardens. The entry fee for adult is S$5/- per entry. I was amazed at the sight of so many beautiful orchids over there.

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Dendrobium Tien Soeharto
Dendrobium Tien Soeharto

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I have taken photos of the orchids in the Orchid Gardens as well as the Botanical Gardens in Singapore. If you are keen in viewing these photos, just follow the link to my website below:-

ImageSingapore.com

On the website, click on the photo gallery, then click on the category – Parks. You can see 2 categories – one is for Botanical Gardens and the other is for the Orchids Garden. Do make a point to visit the Botanical Gardens if you are in Singapore, it is definitely worth your time.

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Dendrobium Tien Soeharto
Dendrobium Tien Soeharto