Fandi: Good Life in Indonesia! Can't Topple PAPee Then EMIGRATE?

[makapaaa]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Dec 14, 2008
The sunday profile

</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>I love my new life, but I'll be back as Lions coach

</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Singapore's favourite footballing son left these shores two years ago to pursue a new life in Indonesia. Little has been heard from Fandi Ahmad and family since. The Sunday Times catches up with the former top goal-getter in his posh Jakarta home </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Wang Meng Meng

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Fandi and Wendy with their children (from left) Iryan, Iman and Ilhan in front of their five-bedroom, two-storey home in Jakarta. Fandi is coach of Indonesian club Pelita Jaya. -- ST PHOTOS: LIM SIN THAI

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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Somewhere down in south Jakarta, along the row of posh homes in the upmarket residential district of Lebak Bulus Indah, is Fandi Ahmad's home.
It is a palatial five-bedroom two-storey structure with a swimming pool, a whirlpool, plasma television sets, a chauffeured car courtesy of his employers Pelita Jaya, a maid and, oh, a fleet of bicycles and skateboards.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story --><STYLE type=text/css> #related .quote {background-color:#E7F7FF; padding:8px;margin:0px 0px 5px 0px;} #related .quote .headline {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10px;font-weight:bold; border-bottom:3px double #007BFF; color:#036; text-transform:uppercase; padding-bottom:5px;} #related .quote .text {font-size:11px;color:#036;padding:5px 0px;} </STYLE>TEAM FANDI
Irfan, 11, striker


Impressed youth coaches at Valencia and AC Milan. He and Ikhsan are also due for a trial at Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, who produced the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

... more​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>It has been more than a decade since Fandi's five-lettered name also spelt 'goals', as he ended his international career in 1997 after 19 years, 54 strikes and 100 caps.
But in the country where he first played professional football overseas - with Niac Mitra in 1982 - Fandi has once again found bliss.
Singapore's favourite footballing son, who also had spells in Holland with FC Groningen and in Greece with OFI Crete, is today a successful coach in Indonesia's top football league, a family man and, most of all, a contented soul.
His first words were telling.
'I'm relaxed, I'm happy, the food is great. I have more free time with the family. I love it here,'' said the 46-year-old with a boyish smile, the worries of failed business ventures which once plagued him now seemingly a distant past.
Standing in his driveway, it was a relaxed, rejuvenated and radiant Fandi who greeted The Sunday Times team when we visited on Monday, while he and his family were celebrating Hari Raya Haji.
Christmas was also in the air - a tree the family put up decorates the spacious living room.
But Team Fandi - made up of wife of 12 years, Wendy Jacobs, 34, children Irfan, 11, Ikhsan, nine, Iman, eight, Ilhan, six, and the latest addition, cherubic Iryan, two - have not forgotten their Muslim tradition. Three lambs are offered for sacrifice at the religious school across the road.
Indeed, life in Indonesia has re-energised Fandi.
And Singapore's first sports millionaire positively glowed throughout the two-hour interview and photo shoot.
His house is so massive that neither Fandi nor Wendy knows the floor area.

 

[makapaaa]

It helps that Pelita Jaya have been generous.
Fandi declined to reveal his salary but it is believed that his package now is much better than his last drawn pay of $8,000 at the Football Association of Singapore, where he coached the Young Lions and was assistant to Raddy Avramovic for the national team.
A look at his perks will indicate how highly valued he is by his Indonesian employers, who are funded by the Bakrie Group, a conglomerate with investments in property and oil and gas exploration.
His opulent home - it costs US$1,500 (S$2,235) to rent, about 10 times the average income in Indonesia - is fully paid for by Pelita.
He is also given a Kijang, a ubiquitous people carrier common on Jakarta roads. A club-sponsored driver chauffeurs his five children to school and playgroup.
His three elder kids, Irfan, Ikhsan and Iman, study at Sekolah Tiara Bangsa, which is affiliated to Singapore's Anglo-Chinese School and the annual school fees of US$5,500 is split between Fandi and his club.
Then, there is also his alternative mode of transport.
'The traffic jams here can be quite bad. That's why I have a Harley Davidson,'' he said, pointing to a small 125cc Suzuki motorcycle in his garage before breaking into laughter.
But it gets him from points A to B. Rapidly - like when he had to beat hour-long jams so he could rush to Senayan to catch up with the Singapore national team when they were in town for the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.
He explained: 'I have a nice life here but I'm also practical. The motorbike is the fastest way to get to the training ground.''
Although Fandi still finds himself zipping around from time to time, Wendy appreciates the slower pace of life Indonesia provides.
'Life is less stressful in Indonesia, even if I have to raise five kids,' she said. 'I like the fact that we are not in a rush every day.''
That is coming from a hot mama who had to juggle a press interview and watch over five energetic children running around in different directions.
Irfan was juggling a ball. Ikhsan scooted off on a skateboard, taking his father's iPhone along. Iman and Ilhan dashed across the road to witness the sacrificing of the lambs. And little Iryan, just out of the swimming pool, streaked around in his birthday suit.
'He's a real African boy,'' quipped the toddler's doting Cape Town-born mother and former model, who looked shapely and fabulous in a pink tank-top.
And when the family tire of city life, there is always the countryside.
'I miss the beaches in Singapore. Over here, I love going to places like Bogor and Bandung with the family to breathe in fresh mountain air,'' said Fandi.
The former national skipper has also found time in the bustling capital to play for amateur outfit Wanderers in an expatriate league every Wednesday and Saturday, his coaching commitments permitting.
'Check out www.jifl.net,'' Fandi said.
'My team were the double champions last season. We also have Jules Onana, who played in the 1990 World Cup for Cameroon, in the side.
'But I don't bully kechil (Malay for small), lah. I play in midfield, let the others have a chance to score.''
Still, the net-bursting instincts cannot be tamed, even if he is now a father of five with numerous scars on his ankles, no thanks to football's hatchet men.
During the 2006 World Cup, Fandi reprised his role as the apex predator inside the penalty box once more in a 'mini World Cup' between embassies.
He recalled the event fondly, saying: 'It's really great to get in touch with other Singaporeans.
'Ah, that tournament, I was the top scorer with seven goals in three games. Unfortunately, Singapore were knocked out in the second round.''
There are very few visible reminders in his Jakarta house of his life in Singapore save for his S-League Coach of the Year trophy, won in 2000, and now sitting proudly in a cabinet.
'I brought it along as a reminder that I must work hard every day,'' said Fandi, who has a National Trades certificate (NTC-3) in plumbing from the Singapore Vocational Institute but whose mastery of the football made him famous, successful and idolised.
That work ethos has paid off in Indonesia.
In his first season, Fandi - who coached Singapore Armed Forces FC to two S-League titles (2000 and 2002) - steered Second Division Pelita to the top-tiered Super League.
This year, his players started the campaign in top gear, leading the table until the Ramadan month, when a fixture pile-up saw the team slip to 10th in the 18-team table.
But succeeding in Indonesian football is also about mastering its unique problems as well.
Said Fandi, who has long-time friend and former national teammate Kadir Yahaya as his assistant: 'It's no joke, man. Travelling across Indonesia is just like travelling all over Europe.
'We have away games in Irian Jaya and Kalimantan. For some away games in Java, we travel seven to eight hours by bus to Yogjakarta.
'The away trips are so long that we play two away games at one shot, meaning that I'll be away from home for a week.
'The fixtures list is completely havoc. Each season can last more than a year.'
The 2008 campaign has paused for a break because of the Suzuki Cup and will resume from January to June before taking a break. It will restart in August.
Then, there is the extra spice in the stands.
'The Indonesian fans can be fanatical,'' he said. 'Riots are common in the stands.
'Although Pelita are based in Jakarta, our home ground is actually in Bandung, two hours away by car. The city is already home to Persi Bandung. They see us as newcomers and hate us. When the two teams meet...
'The long away trips, the long season, the violence. I dare say that this is one of the most challenging leagues in the world.''
But there are also the interesting aspects of Indonesian life.
'Just yesterday, a cow ran amok in the city after it escaped from a cattle truck,'' he said. 'Demonstrations, riots, mudslides... you get a bit of everything in Indonesia.''
As Fandi looks forward to the resumption of the league next month, he is also keeping an eye on his children's development.
Irfan and Ikhsan's footballing exploits have already made headlines in Singapore after the intrepid duo, both strikers (what else?) impressed youth coaches at Valencia and AC Milan.
They are also due for a trial at Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese club that launched the careers of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Luis Figo.
Fandi says daughter Iman is a mean defender whose pace cannot be underestimated. She is also a promising tennis player.
Wendy's face lit up when she retold stories of how Ilhan, named after Turkey's 2002 World Cup star Ilhan Mansiz, had to be substituted for scoring too many goals in a match against kids three years older than him in an Under-9 match.
It is inevitable that little Iryan, still too young to kick a ball, will terrorise defenders soon.
But none of Fandi's sons wears his revered jersey number - 17.
'I cannot dream for them,'' he said, referring to Irfan and Ikhsan's blossoming football career.
'They have to dream about a professional career. They are still young and playing for fun. That fun may disappear once they are under pressure to win matches and titles. I want them to decide what they want and be happy.
'Ikhsan originally wanted to be a tap-dancer. I have no problems with that. He has his parents' full support.''
Then, the big question: Will Fandi ever return to Singapore?
Wendy still jets back to the Lion City about twice a month for modelling assignments, hosting jobs and conducting etiquette lessons.
'I like to work, and motherhood has made me feel like I've been out of action for a long time,'' she said.
'I'm looking around for opportunities to get myself going again and relaunch myself back in Singapore.''
By his own admission, Fandi has not formulated a long-term plan yet.
He loves his new life. Pelita have handed him a contract extension - the length of the deal is for him to decide.
'I'll probably wait until January before deciding to sign,'' he revealed.
'I'm waiting to see how the economic crisis has affected the club.''
He is also a man in demand. Rumours persist of him going to Wendy's native South Africa to further his coaching career.
There are also whispers that he is heading the short-list for the Indonesia Under-23 post.
'Just rumours, lah,'' he laughed off the speculation.
Back to the question: Will you return to Singapore?
'For sure I'll return home one day,'' he promised.
'The national team? That's my dream. Not now. Not even in the near future. But one day, I'd love to have a try.''
[email protected]






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Life is good
'Life is less stressful in Indonesia, even if I have to raise five kids. I like the fact that we are not in a rush every day.'
WENDY, Fandi's wife

 

[DerekLeung]

Singaporean policies are always cheapskate. They always pay less and depress wages .

Then when locals run away from unfair treatment. They start to pay foriegners x 5 the amount due ! WTF I say , do you have to wait till then ?

People with route learning are basically souless !
God bless us all beause we have most of them as leaders !

 

[DerekLeung]

Indonesians run here why he run over there ?

 

[chupacabra]

Fandi is one of the greatest sinkee. He is treated like second rate citizen in peesai. I wish him all the best.

 

[halsey02]

Indonesians run here why he run over there ?

Cross border exchange lah!...in ASEAN spirit!... Running here, savour "sharfin soup", "birdnest soup', while the other savour, "mee soto", "mee goreng"..."Ayam...."..get it!

 

[Adidas]

should be nothing much for him here,so go another place to live comfortabely and earn his trade.

 

[johnny333]

should be nothing much for him here,so go another place to live comfortabely and earn his trade.

Spore has a long tradition of treating their national athletes like that, just look at our 1st Silver medalist olympian.

Would be interesting reading if they did an article on where the old national athletes are living today, Aust, USA,...

 

[makapaaa]

Singaporean policies are always cheapskate. They always pay less and depress wages .

Then when locals run away from unfair treatment. They start to pay foriegners x 5 the amount due ! WTF I say , do you have to wait till then ?

People with route learning are basically souless !
God bless us all beause we have most of them as leaders !

U stop LYING! My ministers and scholar directors are the BEST PAID in the world. *zzzz*​

 

[The_Latest_H]

I'm glad Fandi is doing better since he left for Indonesia. Here he was struggling financially and battling a lot of things. In Indonesia he has done better and deserves it.

It must be said though that Fandi's character has become even more resilient after facing failure in Singapore, and that has helped him in Indonesia. If there's only one good thing he has learnt in Singapore- its that failure has taught about future success.

Congrats to a local football legend.

 

[Zeitgeist]

Five beautiful kids and a wife who is still knock them dead gorgeous after delivering them and contributing to putting food on the table. Fandhi's God had been kind to him and he richly deserves it. He is one swell guy! For many who had predicted he was making a big mistake in marrying Wendy had been proven wrong, haven't they?

 

[angry_one]

If only he had signed on with Ajax with the batch including Johann Cryuff and Marco ven basten, he'd be a world legend by now.

But i'm happy to know he's enjoying life. Sinkapore will never give him the life he's living now. Gigantic house and car all paid for, with chauffeur, treated like a hero....

I'm guessing that 'I'll come back one day" is a statement for political correctness. He won't be back for a loooong time. I know i won't, if given this life.

 

[halsey02]

If only he had signed on with Ajax with the batch including Johann Cryuff and Marco ven basten, he'd be a world legend by now.

But i'm happy to know he's enjoying life. Sinkapore will never give him the life he's living now. Gigantic house and car all paid for, with chauffeur, treated like a hero....

I'm guessing that 'I'll come back one day" is a statement for political correctness. He won't be back for a loooong time. I know i won't, if given this life.

Interesting, will his sons, do National Service?, or will he just become an Indonesian PR or even a RSA (Republic of South Africa) PR?, and his entire family too?. He will make enough money...and sail into the GOLDEN PERIOD of his life, where on earth, would anyone like him come back!?

He stays here in Singapore, he & his family, will never, ever see a GOLDEN PERIOD!.."PERIOD"!..a red one

 

[theblackhole]

fandi is one of the greatest sons of the soil and yet....shitlah we lost him to another country!

 

[congo9]

fandi is one of the greatest sons of the soil and yet....shitlah we lost him to another country!

That is because FANDI do not fit into the PAP set up of being a scholar. PAP value paper qualification then people with proven experienced.

 

[eQuipment]

there's an old saying, "if u can't move the mountain, then move mohammad"
in our case, "can't topple singapore pte ltd, move fandi ahmad"

 

[bebo]

PAP value paper qualification then people with proven experienced.<!-- / message -->

Li Jia Wei has paper qualification :p

 

[congo9]

Li Jia Wei has paper qualification :p

LJW is brought solely to boost the EGO of PAP ! It is also to show case how sporting glory can be bought with money !

In conslusion , she is brought in to show case how RIGHT their policy was !

 

[theblackhole]

singaporeans in the long run will lose out - damned sad man!

 

[zhihau]

His house is so massive that neither Fandi nor Wendy knows the floor area.

whoa... must migrate liao ah!