Infrastructure (JB wins hand down)
Over the years, JB has tried to reduce the number of traffic lights by transforming the road into raise level road interchange so that vehicle can continue to travel without having to stop. JB also has a very good road infrastructure system linking the city to the surburbs areas via road interchange, flyovers, underground tunnel, road bridge across rivers, highways, expanded trunk roads providing more lanes, etc. Thus, its highway/road system & infrastructure can be comparable to spore standard. (could be better in future when the dragon invest more in JB)
On the other hand, although i have never drive in Batam, from my observation of Batam infrastructure, it is still very far behind compare to JB. Batam roads are bumpy & not well maintained (many potholes), road lanes not many, traffic quite chaotic, no proper pedestrian walkway or overhead bridge, lag of flyover to ease traffic jam. Road signage are also not very prominent.
Medical facilities (JB offers more options)
Due to its greater land size and bigger population, there are much more private and public hospital and clinics in JB and most of them have very good medical facilities. That is the reason why sporean like to travel to JB and melaka private hospital / medical centres to seek for treatment as it can provide the same standard as what spore can offer. Doctors/surgeons in msia private hospital are very experience as they are overseas trained (US/UK). Govt hospitals medical equipment are also quite advance, medication are relatively cheaper than lion city by a hugh difference.
For info - msians citizens only need to pay RM 1 to get admitted to hospital, the rest of the medical fee is taken care by their garmen.
Although I have not come across or heard of any popular Batam hospitals but friends of mine told me that Batam medical standard and service still lagging behind those in JB.
For info - In order to be admitted into the hospital in indonesia, the patient has to pay upfront a certain amount of medical fee or deposit first. For those who does not have enough money are not allowed to get admitted and treated because indonesia has too many poor people and afraid that after treatment no money to pay the hospital, then the hospital can close shop already..That comes to the point as to why indonesians are very helpful towards each other... When a poor indonesian need to seek treatment in the hospital, the family/relative/neighbours/friend/friend's friend will try to raise the money for the patient to get admitted into the hospital...very touching
To be continued...