Crisis and friendship<\/p>\n
When I was in Singapore for several weeks recently, I followed
\nthe news on the fate of Indonesian citizens trying to have a
\nbetter life in our neighboring countries, namely Singapore and
\nMalaysia, as a result of the major economic crisis in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
There are times that I ask myself: how and what have these
\nunfortunate people suffered? A part of my questions was answered
\nby my own experience as an Indonesian citizen who has to travel
\nduring this economic condition.<\/p>\n
A most unpleasant incident occurred during my trip to
\nSingapore. Due to frequent overseas travel, my Indonesian
\npassport, which is valid until 2000, has only a few pages left
\nempty for arrival and departure stamps. Subsequently, as usual,
\nwhen I arrived from Bangkok on SQ 63 at 2:30 p.m. on April 29,
\n1998, I politely asked the immigration officer at Changi Airport
\nto do me a big favor by putting the stamp on a used page.<\/p>\n
This officer then took me to the on-duty supervisor. This
\nyoung supervisor, instead of trying to explain in a pleasant
\nmanner that it was impossible for him to do so, boldly said that
\nI needed to show my return ticket (this had never happened to me
\nbefore in Singapore).<\/p>\n
I explained patiently that my return ticket was left at the
\nOriental Hotel, Marina Center, and I suggested to him to check:<\/p>\n
* By calling the Oriental Hotel where my husband and I have
\nstayed for over 150 visits.<\/p>\n
* To clarify with SQ and to find out that I was indeed booked to
\nfly back to Jakarta on SQ 158 on May 2.<\/p>\n
* To retain my passport and allow me to go to the hotel to pick
\nup my return ticket to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Also, the young officer repeatedly stated that he had the
\nright to deport me. I was amazed at this incident happened to me
\nwhen Singapore has always prided itself of service excellence.
\nThen I started to wonder how the Singapore authority treated
\nthose poor illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n
MRS. WATI ABDULGANI-KNAPP<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/crisis-and-friendship-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }