Corruption<\/p>\n
Most Indonesian papers during recent months have printed many
\narticles on \"corruption,\" even to the point where the Ministry of
\nFinance ranks at the top.<\/p>\n
To know the true facts is one thing, but to print and admit
\nthem is another. What and how does one think, when Indonesia is
\ncommonly known to be the number one country in the world for
\ncorruption? The reflection of these reports, going around the
\nworld via the media, must certainly make foreign people think
\ntwice.<\/p>\n
First, would they ever want to visit a country like this? Who
\nwould want to invest in the country. I am foreign, but my husband
\nis an Indonesian citizen. Having lived within Indonesia for some
\nyears, I have seen so much and could write a book on my
\nexperiences alone.<\/p>\n
The island of Bali is not the right place for \"straight\"
\npeople to live. One goes to Immigration for a visa extension or
\nto apply for a KIM-S and the costs are clearly printed on the
\nnotice board. But when one gets to the office of the interviewing
\nofficer, he insists on a much larger amount. These officers are
\nemployed and paid by the government to do their jobs correctly. I
\nam sure that their jobs are not correct when they engage in
\n\"ripping-off\" all the tourists. If each officer was to get (an
\nunderestimation) Rp 20,000 extra from five foreigners per day,
\nthat is an additional Rp 600,000 per week, which is more than two
\nmillion rupiah per month. My husband is happy to have a job and
\nreceive Rp 500,000 per month for honest work.<\/p>\n
The local police are no better. As soon as they see a
\nforeigner driving a car, rupiah start \"flashing\" in their heads.
\nThey are stopped, all paperwork\/licenses are checked and
\neverything is correct as it should be. But they haven't got what
\nthey want, so they think of some crazy excuse just to obtain
\nextra money.<\/p>\n
Another saga so many are faced with, especially in Bali, is
\nthe postal system. Incoming letters of any thickness are usually
\nthought to contain money and are subsequently opened and resealed
\nagain when they find that no money is enclosed. An \"official\"
\nstamp is placed on the back of the envelope stating the letter
\narrived damaged.<\/p>\n
I continue to receive regular papers from Indonesia and keep
\nin touch with many of my friends, who say the system has not
\nchanged in any way.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has so much to offer, but corruption should
\ncertainly not be included in it. Now it's up to the \"authorities\"
\nto start setting some positive examples, to entice tourists to
\nreturn again.<\/p>\n
M. WARD<\/p>\n
Korumburra, Australia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/corruption-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }