Living in JB 3 (Johore)

[cheerguan]

Remember those days when CPF contribution was still 20% by the employers with no cap? I think the high salaried managers and civil servants really laughed all the way to the bank.

These same bunch of people are buying properties for their grandchildren!

At that time in the mid 80's, my pay was just a few hundreds of dollars but was much happier then as I could see the promising prospect in my career together with relatively low cost of living. This began to change when CPF was allowed to buy properties in 1993 and prices rocketed about 250% before crashing badly in mid '96 when the first cooling measure was implemented. I know many got caught and probably because of this, most of them missed this bull run out of fear when the economic crisis hit in 2008. The printing of money was unexpected and underestimated to many from my generation as it was unprecedented.

 

[cheerguan]

Oh then it is a matter of taking risk then, me no idea about the way the SG property price will move. Of course as someone vested, I hope it stays up!

Even as prices here in Sg doesn't come down, I just hope they (MY) don't chase us out anytime in future and I will be very happy already (almost retire). Also, sincerely wishing you and everyone here the very best in all your investments. HUAAAT AHHH!!!!! Ha ha!

 

[FHBH12]

I also have the problem recently. I made my own investigation, and realise my cut off fuse in the main power switch outside the house have been stolen and replaced by 3 cables. One of the cable is very loose and that cause the power to be interminent. Each fuse is approx 16rm..

No wonder my grill contractor also installed grill at my power supply box outside my house. I believe ur neighbors r hit by e theft also.

 

[FHBH12]

Did he miss the boat or is this a timely warning?


http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/blog/tag/perils-of-iskandar

Perils of Iskandar

By Pete WongApr 1, 2013
Pete Wong is the founder of Awarna Media with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and around the region. He made his foray into property on both sides of the Causeway since the early days - when...

Iskandar still facing serious issues.

I have friends always asking about investing in Iskandar Malaysia and these are my thoughts. If I am heading an SME (small and medium enterprise) in Singapore, it would make good business sense for me to expand into Iskandar, especially if I am looking for cheaper labour and space to grow my factory, for instance. On paper, Iskandar seems to have all the infrastructure in place to support SMEs.

But I am not sure if I would want to relocate my family there. During my younger days, I spent nine years living and studying in Johor Bahru. In those days, most of us locals knew the unwritten rules for survival like avoiding encounters with members of the royal family. For example, if we were to see a car bearing special number plates on the road, we would not think of overtaking it, no matter how slow it was going. I don't know if the situation is better now as I have not been living in the state for many years.

Some Singaporeans might think this is a joke. Others have found out, the hard way, how important it is to adapt to a new culture and mindset when crossing the border.

A lot has been said about crime in the city. Let me just say that it will be at least a few decades from now before a single young lady can safely walk the streets of Johor like they can along Orchard Road.

Some issues are beginning to surface as highlighted in a recent Business Times article which said that investors are not getting assurances in black and white on issues like land zoning, mortgage loan quantums and Bumiputra employment quotas, among others.

Foreigners investing in Iskandar might do better if they can understand that most policies in Malaysia are instituted by politicians of the day. When the politician leaves, a new policy replacing the old one is to be expected. When doing business in Johor, one has to factor in such risks.

Remember that Putrajaya, the state administrative capital of Malaysia, is still struggling after more than 20 years in the making. When Iskandar was mooted in 2006, authorities were confident about getting funds from Middle Eastern investors. Obviously, that plan didn't work out and the focus is now back to Singaporean investors.

Some folks like to draw the analogy of Singapore and Iskandar as being similar to Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Formerly a fishing village, Shenzhen transformed to become a vibrant manufacturing hub driven by Hong Kong investments. However, there is one big difference. Both Hong Kong and Shenzhen are part of China and the central government sees to it that rules are fair and both sides prosper. I am not too sure if it's the Johor government's priority to see that Singapore prospers.

Five years from now, perhaps there might be an MRT service linking Singapore with Johor. Then again, there might also be a high-speed train connecting Singapore with KL. Inadvertently, KL is a competitor for Iskandar. If my business is regional, I would choose KL over Iskandar because of better connectivity - within a four-hour flight radius, I can be in Beijing, Hanoi, Jakarta and many other cities around the region.

The MRT will b a runaway success. Bcoz I might b taking it too if it is well connected to malls n eateries at JB side. Imagine e convenience of JB to people from all over Singapore. Shops in Singapore might face falling rental when pp prefer to shop in JB instead of in Singapore.

 

[cheerguan]

The MRT will b a runaway success. Bcoz I might b taking it too if it is well connected to malls n eateries at JB side. Imagine e convenience of JB to people from all over Singapore. Shops in Singapore might face falling rental when pp prefer to shop in JB instead of in Singapore.

They (both sides) must think of better ways to speed up immigration clearance first.

 

[FHBH12]

They (both sides) must think of better ways to speed up immigration clearance first.

It will be done. Singapore needs a lot of workers from Malaysia.

 

[jade apple]

I also have the problem recently. I made my own investigation, and realise my cut off fuse in the main power switch outside the house have been stolen and replaced by 3 cables. One of the cable is very loose and that cause the power to be interminent. Each fuse is approx 16rm..

Thanks arsenal.

My apology, actually, I meant the reputation "power" in this forum. Used to have 2 powers, then 10 powers and now back to 2 powers. Is not important to me but just find strange.

 

[Grago]

I also have the problem recently. I made my own investigation, and realise my cut off fuse in the main power switch outside the house have been stolen and replaced by 3 cables. One of the cable is very loose and that cause the power to be interminent. Each fuse is approx 16rm..

First thing I did after my reno was completed was to get the lock to the cut-off fuse main power switch changed! Was warned that reno contractors for "my neighbours" might "BORROW" the fuses and "forget" to return....... Bro change your fuse box lock before your fuses get "BORROWED permanently" again....

 

[crystal_tiong]

First thing I did after my reno was completed was to get the lock to the cut-off fuse main power switch changed! Was warned that reno contractors for "my neighbours" might "BORROW" the fuses and "forget" to return....... Bro change your fuse box lock before your fuses get "BORROWED permanently" again....

ya lor mine one was borrowed. dun know when return. damn.

 

[Grago]

ya lor mine one was borrowed. dun know when return. damn.

Sorry Crystal, you will need to get new ones. Ask you Elec contractor, to change the locks quickly or the new fuses will get "BORROWED" again.... :*:

 

[wuqi256]

ya lor mine one was borrowed. dun know when return. damn.

I had mine borrowed a few times when i first moved out here, its usually some contractors on the other streets, most of the time they will return them shortly after the work is done. This is especially if the TNB folks has not connect the electricity yet.

 

[sgtsk]

Mystery solved. I checked with my developer and they replied that it will take 1-2 years for the land office to transfer the title to the owner.

I bought a small condo in malaysia before and it took
around 10 years to split the title. But you could still sell your prop without the title being ready.

 

[arsenal]

That is interesting to know. Btw can any folks from Horizon Hill confirm if they have their title transferred?

I bought a small condo in malaysia before and it took
around 10 years to split the title. But you could still sell your prop without the title being ready.

 

[wuqi256]

That is interesting to know. Btw can any folks from Horizon Hill confirm if they have their title transferred?

Yes, it took a while though but no issues with it so far.

 

[potter]

Sorry Crystal, you will need to get new ones. Ask you Elec contractor, to change the locks quickly or the new fuses will get "BORROWED" again.... :*:

ai yo..she so electrifying liao lor, dun need fuse one la.

 

[sgtsk]

That is interesting to know. Btw can any folks from Horizon Hill confirm if they have their title transferred?

Understood that there is a govt initiative to revamp the civil service to make it more efficient since few years back. Govt depts now have KPIs. I would expect things to get more speedy.

 

[sgtsk]

Apology for my ignorance about reputation points. I just read the lists of bros and sis who were kind to give me points. Thank you.

 

[FHBH12]

I suppose we can exchange e points for ice creal at Aeon in Bukit Indah?

 

[sgtsk]

I second this.

 

[moochi]

More local firms move to Iskandar

OCBC expects threefold rise in loans for relocated firms over next 2 years
Singapore companies are relocating to Iskandar Malaysia at such a rapid pace that OCBC Bank expects a threefold surge in loans resulting from these moves over the next two years. OCBC's loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Singapore either setting up operations in Iskandar or already operating there doubled last year from the year before. Local firms are seeking new pastures amid rising business costs and labour shortages.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/money/story/more-local-firms-move-iskandar-20130409