Short story<\/p>\n
One of the dangers of writing fiction in the first person is
\nthat it may be taken as truth. This was clearly the case with my
\nshort story, originally entitled Prakla, which appeared as an
\n\"article\" in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 26 with a headline (written
\nby the editors) instead of the title. I hereby inform all readers
\nof the Post that the \"article\" which appeared under my name is a
\nwork of fiction, and was indicated to be such in the letter which
\naccompanied its submission. I expected the story to be printed in
\nthe Short Story Department, and was shocked to see it printed as
\na non-fiction article.<\/p>\n
My entire family has spent many pleasant, culturally rewarding
\nyears in Indonesia. My three children attended Bontang
\nInternational School in the early 1980s and graduated from high
\nschool at JIS in Jakarta. I have great respect for Indonesia and
\nits people including those in the frontiers where oil and gas are
\nfound. I hope Mr. Cuthbertson, who attacked me over the \"article\"
\nin Your Letters, March 12 will read my previous story in the
\nPost, Feb. 5, entitled Ibu Wati, which gives an entirely
\ndifferent picture from Prakla.<\/p>\n
The characters in Prakla are fictitious composites of several
\noil industry nomads who (at least in those heydays) followed
\nprojects around the world, wherever there was work. Their
\nattitudes (not mine) are reflected in the story.<\/p>\n
What is the point of such stories? The point is to depict a
\ngroup of people who have been crucial to Indonesia's development,
\nlike it or not. They are rough and not entirely admirable, but
\nthey are real and they are a part of Indonesia's history just as
\ncattle rustlers were a part of America's. Perhaps if one pays
\nattention, one can learn from observing their negative example.
\nAnd if one isn't too uptight, one might be entertained at the
\nsame time. That's why we have villains in literature.<\/p>\n
I offer my apologies to anyone who was offended by the piece.
\nThere was certainly no disrespect meant to Indonesia,
\nIndonesians, nor to the huge number of caring expatriates who
\nlive and work in this fascinating, lovely country.<\/p>\n
GARY GENTRY<\/p>\n
South Jakarta<\/p>\n
We apologize for the error and any resulting offense.<\/p>\n
-- Editor<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/short-story-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }