Briefcase stolen, few items returned

I have returned recently to Jakarta after a three-year absence. Within 48 hours from arrival, my briefcase was stolen in the Sahid Jaya Hotel. The theft occurred on Nov. 4. I have not "gone public" before now as I had hoped to secure cooperation, and compensation, from the hotel's management. Now, five weeks later, my frustration level has risen to a point where I must perform a nonviolent act to get this unhappy experience out of my system.

I had been working late afternoon "out of my briefcase" near the pool of the Sahid Jaya Hotel, and decided to take a sauna in the fitness club adjacent to the pool area. This facility is open to hotel guests and is run under the name Joanne Drew. I registered my name on the list provided and was given a towel and a key (number 15) to a locker. The locker had a wide part and a narrow part. I was able to fit the briefcase into the narrow part, standing it on its side. I took a sauna, a steam bath and a shower. When I was finished, the briefcase was gone. In it was everything important to me, business wise and/or personal, and a lot of cash (about US$2,000).

I raised the alarm, jerked open a number of adjacent locker doors, locked or not. This proved easy. Security guards came. But no one from the hotel's management or the police showed up, although I had insisted they be sent for. There were very few guests or members using the club. Their names were entered on the list, marking times of arrival and departure. There were many staff members about.

I went on to the police headquarters near the Semanggi flyover to file a formal report, which was typed up, signed and sealed by the officer on duty. This official police report is required by embassies before they can issue new documents like passports.

At midnight, Nov. 6, two bell boy types (uniforms, name tags) came to my room. (I had in the meantime been "upgraded" to what is called the Executive Floor, and been given a fruit basket). They handed me a plastic Pasaraya (department store) shopping bag. Inside were two envelopes with my name on them and any old room number written on them. I was told that the bag had been found near the hotel's kiosk, "just standing there".

Inside the envelopes were my now empty wallet, my passport, all credit cards, U.S. green card, drivers license, plane tickets, address/phone book, family photos and certain pieces of correspondence. Not returned were the cash, gold items, including wedding ring and cufflinks, Rayban sunglasses, Nokia phone, Swiss army knives, batik etui with fountain pen and ballpoint pens, and to my surprise and chagrin, my 1998 diary/appointment book (Letts of London). This book is of vital importance to me but what "street value" could it possibly have (except perhaps to very sophisticated thieves)?

All possible suspects had been questioned, without result. I was further told not to insult Indonesia when I voiced a bit of frustration, and was invited "to sue us".

Some questions are still puzzling me: Was this an "inside job"? Who benefited from the theft? Why did the perpetrator(s) bother to return certain items, but did not return my diary/appointment book?

Although I feel I have paid quite enough already, I offer to pay an additional $300 (in small unmarked bills if preferred) for the return of the appointment book (complete with all the vouchers and correspondence that were tucked in the book).

A final note: I lived in Jakarta from 1989 to 1995, and traveled all over the country. There was never anything taken from me during that period.

ANTON B DEITERS

Jakarta