Citibank discriminates

I recently wanted to use the Internet banking facilities of Citibank to transfer monies from one of my accounts to another. The transaction was blocked for the following reason: I am a foreigner. Being a long-time customer of Citibank as well as resident of Indonesia I find this behavior discriminatory, insulting and completely contrary to all the stated lofty objectives of this bank.

Apparently Citibank is hiding behind a government regulation instructing them to do so. If correct, this only makes matters worse.

If the government singles out the few remaining foreigners for the illegal money manipulations taking place in Indonesia, they should read the daily newspapers, for example. These provide a fresh daily menu of Indonesian money manipulation far beyond the imagination of most foreigners. In fact many Indonesians could teach foreigners lessons on how to manipulate money illegally, rather than the reverse.

Citibank hiding behind the government and blindly kowtowing to regulations is not only improper but also immature. Citibank instead should have enough power and profits to stand up for consumers' rights and human rights when short-sighted bureaucrats step out of line. This event reflects the same thinking in government levels as we saw a few years back, when it was suggested that AIDS could be prevented from spreading here by compulsory annual blood tests of foreigners only.

If Indonesia is serious about foreign investment it also should seriously review the treatment provided to foreigners by the government and provide at least a level playing field. Right now the sign "Foreigners not welcome" is hanging on your front door.

MICHAEL SINJORGO

Jakarta