Expatriates in Indonesia<\/p>\n
I was deeply offended by the article which appeared last
\nSunday entitled A piece of experience in a corner of Borneo, by a
\nMr. Gary Gentry. What is the point of publishing such drivel?<\/p>\n
I have had the pleasure of working in East Kalimantan since
\n1982. As principal of the Pasir Ridge International school in
\nBalikpapan, I have come to know a large number of expatriates
\nworking in the region and have visited Bontang at least once a
\nyear for the last 12 years.<\/p>\n
Maybe Mr. Gentry does represent a very small group whose
\ninterest in Indonesia can be summed up as he states \"the only
\nthing I ever wanted to learn about the place (Indonesia) was how
\nto get paid and how to get out when the job was over\".<\/p>\n
However, the average expatriate I know has a very different
\nperspective on life in Indonesia. True, many are here because of
\nthe financial rewards, but regard their time in Indonesia as a
\nprivilege. Many play very active and positive roles in the
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
Mr. Gentry's very callous disregard for the law regarding the
\npurchase of Orangutans also disgusts me. Here in East Kalimantan
\nthe actions of the expatriate community, including the school
\nchildren, have largely been responsible for the establishment of
\nthe worldwide recognized Orangutan reintroduction program at
\nWanariset. Over the last three years this program has rescued
\nover 160 orangutans and has successfully released 60 of these
\nback to the wild.<\/p>\n
I would also like to ask when this article was written. Back
\nwhen 50,000 Rps was equal to $50 U.S.? A very long time ago? I
\nwould like to encourage other expatriates to write to the editor
\nabout their experiences living in Indonesia and tell of the many
\npositive things that have been done. At least this should give
\nthe editor some discretion in what he might decide to publish in
\nthe future.<\/p>\n
JOSEPH W. CUTHBERTSON<\/p>\n
Balikpapan,<\/p>\n
East Kalimantan<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expatriates-in-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }