Bad treatment at B.A.T.S.

I am writing to complain about the discriminatory practices of B.A.T.S. in the Shangri-La Hotel.

On Oct. 16 I was treated improperly by the security guard at the bar's entrance. When I was about to pay for the entrance ticket, suddenly one of the security staff rudely told me that I was not allowed to enter for the simple reason that only "regulars and hotel guests" were allowed in. In fact, I am a regular visitor to B.A.T.S. and the restaurants at the Shangri- La, and for the past two years I have even been one of the Shangri-La's Gold members.

On this particular night, I was visiting B.A.T.S. at the invitation of some of my business associates and I knew they were waiting for me inside. After explaining this to the security guards on duty, one of our party was allowed in simply to prove that I was telling the truth.

As soon as I got inside, I lodged a complaint with Ms. Lucy Marshall, the bar's manager. My complaint was not properly addressed. She arrogantly said that a woman without a male escort was not allowed to enter B.A.T.S. Right then it was driven home to me that what she really meant was that single indigenous women visiting B.A.T.S. are assumed to be "chickens" (loose women).

I emphasize that this assumption is only made of indigenous women because a female friend of mine of Chinese descent and my American female boss, both visiting B.A.T.S. on the same evening, did not have the same experience as me. Do we single women, particularly indigenous ones, not deserve to enjoy ourselves after a hard day's work? It is no longer the time for discrimination.

It is my hope that the management of B.A.T.S. can give a satisfactory response to my complaint because I know I am not the only victim of its discriminatory practices. Up to now, I have received no response from the B.A.T.S. management.

MIKA MAHARANI ANASTASIA

Jakarta