Mas Selamat NOT In Nirwana Gardens Resort, Bintan, Indonesia

With the hectic lifestyle we lead, Hali and I decided to get our minds off and focus on the wider national issue of the fugitive Mas Selamat (MS). We mooted the idea to our good friends, Jai and Charu, who's marriage anniversary was just around the corner. Having applied for leave during the weekend of 1st June right up to their anniversary date of 3rd June, they were more than happy to join us on our mission.

So, a week before the intended departure, we looked up Holiday Bagus, which was offering packages for the Indra Maya Villas at Nirwana Gardens Resort. We spoke with the very helpful Faridah there and within the next few days, secured a 3D2N package to the sea-view villa, Blowfish 4, with complimentary breakfast for 4 persons on 2 days, and inclusive of ferry tickets to and fro, for the price of S$1,480 nett.

No Sign of MS at Bintan Ferry Terminal

The weekend arrived soon enough and a quick 45 minute ferry journey from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on the Indera Bupala later, we found ourselves being received by the Nirwana Gardens staff at Bintan Ferry Terminal. Another 15 minutes on the road in a mini-bus found us arriving at the Mayang Sari reception which handles the check-in for the Indra Maya Villas.

At about 4.30pm (SG), we were watching the view of the sea from the living room of our villa with a private swimming pool in between. We searched the villa itself thoroughly and while there was a set of complimentary drinks in the fridge, complimentary tea and coffee sachets in the kitchen and a complimentary fruit basket in the living room, there was so sign of MS. Our friends searched the extravagant main bedroom as it was their anniversary weekend and we took charge of the second bedroom which was quite simple in layout by comparison - no luck finding him there as well.

No Sign of MS Swimming in the Sea

'Elevated' Search of Shoreline

Spacious Living Room

The Main Bedroom

Sunken Bath Outside Main Bedroom

Second Bedroom

We then decided that the next best thing to do would be to search the swimming pool and all 4 of us jumped in. Our preliminary search revealed no traces as well. After scanning the sea view whilst soaking ourselves in the pool, we decided to search other areas of the resort. We all had a quick shower - separately of course - and jumped into our 'fast response buggy' (standard issue for each villa) to continue our search for MS.

False Alarm: Foot Spotted is My Own

5 minutes later, we arrived at the Kelong Restaurant and decided to search there. In order not to seem out of place, we ordered a seafood dinner that included plain rice, fried rice, steamed Garoupa, Tom Yam soup, chilli chicken with water-chestnut, a beancurd dish, and a vegetable dish. Although the dinner was sumptuous, it wasn't a stellar spread and the price of S$109 nett was a tad pricey, to say the least. Unsurprisingly, MS was nowhere to be seen there and we left for the villa to prepare our next course of action.

The Kelong Restaurant

Acting Naturally Inside

Once we were back in our villa, we decided to keep our minds focused by watching an action film on the DVD player and discussing our lives. As Charu was not feeling well (but the most committed to this mission among the 4 of us), we decided to have a good night's rest at 1.00am (SG).

The next morning, before heading to Mayang Sari's Spice Restaurant for our buffet breakfast, Hali and I decided to sweep the perimeter of the pool to make sure there was no breach of security. Apart from some clandestine squirrels and lizards mating, everything else was perfect.

Perimeter Sweep

At the Spice Restaurant, the buffet breakfast was adequate but not quite what we expected. Some continental fare such as chicken sausages, french toast, croissants and potatoes, as well as local Asian fare such as Nasi Lemak, porridge and chicken rendang were noted in the spread, though some sparrows were observed sneaking in to snatch unattended pieces of cake along the buffet line.

A heavy downpour appeared before we could finish our breakfast and we held back from continuing our search slightly due to this. However, within one hour from the start of the rain, the sun was up and the beach was back to its original condition. We surveyed the beach area in front of Mayang Sari and also the nearby Nirwana Gardens Resort Hotel vicinity which had some wildlife exhibits of eagles, an owl, a vulture, some crocodiles and some pythons among others. Jai and I also took the time to strategise using a life-sized chess set whilst at the Resort Hotel.

Heavy Rain Hindering Our Search

An Hour Later, Pristine Beach

Underwater Search

Jai Had the Better Strategy

Resort Hotel Patrol

We returned to the villa after this recce late in the afternoon and decided to investigate the beach directly in front of the villa. We literally left no stone unturned in our search and pored over hermit crabs on the relatively virgin beach and drifted through the nearby foliage as well. When we returned from this expedition, we felt that some pool-searching would be a good idea and we jumped in couple-by-couple till sundown.

Searching the Rock Face

Horizon Vigil

Practising to Spear in Case MS Tries to Run

Going Right Up to the Water to Check

Leaving Our Mark to Intimidate MS

Keeping Watch Till Sunset from the Pool

We then decided to proceed to the Aryan Thai Restaurant for the night time search operation and was invited by a posh ambience within. The prices looked comparable to that of the Kelong Restaurant's menu and we were happy. However, when the dishes arrived, we realised that the portions were ridiculously small, and by comparison, were only half of what we were served at the Kelong Restaurant.

Although the food was rich and relatively authentic Thai cuisine, the portions were disappointing and all of us felt quite cheated. We wondered if MS had a hand in this deceit, but it seemed unlikely that the staff were in collusion with the fugitive. We made a mental note to order room service later should we become hungry and left the posh diner S$121 nett poorer.

More Expensive Dinner but only Half Filled

Back at the villa, we watched another movie until around 11.30pm (SG) when Hali and I suggested that we proceed to the Calypso bar, which was at the end of the jetty off the Kelong Restaurant, for a surprise check there. We arrived shortly before midnight with no sign of MS there. We ordered a drink each, played a few rounds of UNO and watched the huge collection of stars as we crossed into Jai and Charu's wedding anniversary date after midnight. Soon after, as the bar was about to close, we brought our drinks back to the room (special request) to finish and retired for the night thereafter.

Celebrating their 8th Year Anniversary at Calypso

On our second morning, the routine had been set and soon, we had our breakfast ritual completed at the Spice Restaurant. The spread was worse than the previous day and the replenishing was slow. After breakfast, we decided to scout the beach off Mayang Sari thoroughly for any signs of MS swimming or sunbathing. Our scouting, of course, included wading in the water as it came crashing onto the shore. After this search, we also ventured to The Viewpoint which offered a good vantage point overlooking the Mayang Sari chalets but MS could not be sighted there as well.

Border Patrol Duty

Checking Splash Safety

Confirming Splash Safety

Panorama of Mayang Sari

As it was hot, upon returning to the villa, all of us could not help but dip into the pool to make one final sweep. Although the checkout time was 12pm (INDO), we endured with our search until 11.55am (INDO). Unfortunately, before we could shower and pack up, the staff were already at our doorstep waiting. They waited several minutes for us to finish packing and we finally left our villa at about 12.30pm (INDO).

Not MS in Disguise

The checkout process at Mayang Sari was a breeze and the return back to Singapore was a mere (sad) formality. No doubt, we wished to stay on and keep searching for MS but alas, we had to return to our daily commitments in Singapore. Nevertheless, having established that MS is not at the Nirwana Gardens Resort of Bintan, we strive to return regularly to ensure that he does not make his way there in future.

The Staff Made to Wait Also Asked to Take Last Photo