Why Indonesians Go to Singapore?

Singapore: still the best for shopping

Not that I don’t love my country.  Whatever people think about Indonesia, I still would prefer to live in Indonesia than Singapore.  Singapore is clean, people are disciplined, easy to get around, all in order, but to me, it has less to offer and ‘less drama’ than Jakarta.  Singapore just doesn’t have the ‘ooomph’ and it is too artificial.  I guess it is not fair to compare the whole Indonesia to Singapore, although both of them are countries.  But even that, I would not move from Jakarta to Singapore.  I can visit Singapore for 3 days but I will get bored after more than a week; 4 days is the max.

I have to say I don’t go to Singapore unless it is for work, concert or a best friend’s wedding.  I don’t go there exclusively for shopping, I don’t go there for vacation; there are cheaper and more interesting places to visit for vacation in Indonesia.   But for one thing for sure, Singapore has some essential things, at least for me, that completes what is missing in Indonesia.  For this reason, I feel blessed that Jakarta is close to Singapore, by flying).

Aside from the clean air, enforced law, great malls, here are some things that I would go to Singapore for.

First is medical.  When it comes to more serious things like surgery, I would not risk it by doing it here.  Don’t get me wrong, I have met good doctors here.  But often, the case is, the component that support the process is not good enough.  For example, when I did my nasal surgery, the doctor was one of the best in Indonesia.  But the anasthesy was terrible that Kerm and I (we had the same operation at the same day) sufferred from feeling nauseated and disgusted for more than 24 hours.  Compared to my knee surgery that I had in the US, the anasthetic was better because I felt normal after I woke up.  So did my friend who had her operation for her womb (not the keyhole surgery).   Not to mention the post operation treatment.  Or the scar after the operation.

I suppose all Indonesians were struck by the Prita case with Omni International hospital.  Indonesian patients have very weak place when it comes to malpractise.  Like Prita, if you are unlucky, you are the one going to the jail in spite of how the hospital or doctors misdiagnosed you.

Here is an excerpt from The Jakarta Post, which makes one :

Concerns over the poor quality of Indonesia’s medical services have been growing after several high profile malpractice cases in recent years.

Prita Mulyasari is just the latest victim. She was sued for defamation by the Omni International Hospital in Tangerang, Banten, after complaining online about the way the hospital treated her. The charges against Prita may have been dropped, but the case highlights the fact that patients in Indonesia have no rights. This is why those who can afford to do so flee to other countries to get medical treatment.

I can understand why lots of Indonesians, not necessarily the filthy rich ones, go to Singapore for medicals, although the simple medical check ups.  Because the doctors and the hospitals realize that they are in the service business and they realize that trust is the first thing in business.

My two cents: if you are diagnosed in Indonesia, it won’t hurt to get a second opinion in Singapore.  Especially, when it is a big decision like surgery.

The second on the list that I find quite frustrating in Jakarta is books.  Not only they are cheaper in Singapore, but they are up to dated with large selections to choose from.  I usually keep a list of books that I want and buy them at Borders at Whitlock Place.  I usually stock up for a year’s supply of books, and if a friend comes from Singapore to Jakarta, I would ask for a book.  The bookstores in Jakarta are quite sad.  I will look things up in Amazon.com, go to one of the big bookstore on Kemang where it is close to where I live, just to find out that both books that I want is not in yet and the new releases are not so new.   So far, the best I find is Kinokuniya in Plaza Senayan.  But again, it can’t beat Borders on Whitlock.  And, cheaper.

Same goes to clothing and fashion.  I am not the kind that have lots of shoes and bags and clothes, but I find that there are more choices in Singapore than in the Jakarta malls.  It doesn’t have to be Prada or Hermes (because I can’t afford it anyways, haha).  But unbranded quality items are available in large selection.

What I find annoying in Jakarta is the outfit for women’s sports clothing; the selection is very limited.  As if, Indonesian women don’t do sports?  Jogging shoes, tops, etc, there are variety of models and colours to select from.

The other things that I also find missing is the variety of supplements.  There is a large selection of supplements available there.  It also goes for some spices and imported food.  I find some of them are now missing from the shelves in the grocery stores.  Maybe it has to do with the tax regulation for imported items, which makes them more expensive to sell them in Indonesia.  Singapore has variety of seasonings and spices as well if you like something different than Indonesian spices.  Two days ago, I was looking for mint and dill and I couldn’t find it in Hero Kemang (which I assume them to have because Kemang is an expat residential area).  I also couldn’t find the usual cereal I have and Meadow Lea (well, Meadow Lea was out for a while but then it is now in with higher price).  Maybe I should try other grocery shops like Food Hall or the Ranch Market.

When I think about it, aside from the medical, these are stuff that I can live without but I miss them because they are things for my daily or weekly balance: books, sports gear, supplements and some ingredients for cooking.   And my suitcase is usually full of these things when I get the chance to go to Singapore.   Especially, books.