Act of segregation

Having been living in Jakarta for almost four years, I thought I had seen it all with people's attitudes, racism, bias and indifference towards each other and foreigners. However, I think my experience today takes the biscuit.

My husband and I recently went looking for apartments to lease. But unfortunately we made the decision to visit the Greenview Apartments (near the Jakarta International School, Tarogong). We were asked our nationalities at the guards post before being allowed in. Having told them my husband is British (never mind myself, being Malaysian and looking very much an Asian), we were allowed in.

After a 5-minute wait, someone whom we assumed was the manager proceeded to ask us if we were the ones inquiring for an apartment. After ascertaining that the apartment terms were not suitable for us, I asked the "lady" (so called because she did not behave like one, not once greeting us, nor introducing herself) why the guard finds it necessary to ask our nationalities.

I was deeply annoyed with this line of questioning (along with my religion, gender and race, as this is unnecessary when applying to lease a house, or employment or credit at the bank). The "lady" answered that of course it is necessary, they do not allow any foreigners to stay here, they have to screen where their applicants come from! All that time she was talking to me she looked down at me as if I was someone my Caucasian husband had picked up from the streets (I spoke fluent Indonesian), making me feel, dirty and cheap.

I deeply deplore this blatant act of segregation and racism. I have been asked previously our nationalities at other places, when the vendors tried to ascertain how much to charge us for rent or that we weren't brokers, but not for segregation purposes. To ascertain ability to pay rent, surely the guarantee of one's employment or proof of sufficient funds in a bank account is adequate, not one's nationalities? If nothing else, the owners and management of the Greenview Apartments needs to train its staff on tact and courtesy, for the manager dealing with us today most certainly lacked it.

R. WAN ALI

Jakarta