Corruption

Corruption

Most Indonesian papers during recent months have printed many
articles on "corruption," even to the point where the Ministry of
Finance ranks at the top.

To know the true facts is one thing, but to print and admit
them is another. What and how does one think, when Indonesia is
commonly known to be the number one country in the world for
corruption? The reflection of these reports, going around the
world via the media, must certainly make foreign people think
twice.

First, would they ever want to visit a country like this? Who
would want to invest in the country. I am foreign, but my husband
is an Indonesian citizen. Having lived within Indonesia for some
years, I have seen so much and could write a book on my
experiences alone.

The island of Bali is not the right place for "straight"
people to live. One goes to Immigration for a visa extension or
to apply for a KIM-S and the costs are clearly printed on the
notice board. But when one gets to the office of the interviewing
officer, he insists on a much larger amount. These officers are
employed and paid by the government to do their jobs correctly. I
am sure that their jobs are not correct when they engage in
"ripping-off" all the tourists. If each officer was to get (an
underestimation) Rp 20,000 extra from five foreigners per day,
that is an additional Rp 600,000 per week, which is more than two
million rupiah per month. My husband is happy to have a job and
receive Rp 500,000 per month for honest work.

The local police are no better. As soon as they see a
foreigner driving a car, rupiah start "flashing" in their heads.
They are stopped, all paperwork/licenses are checked and
everything is correct as it should be. But they haven't got what
they want, so they think of some crazy excuse just to obtain
extra money.

Another saga so many are faced with, especially in Bali, is
the postal system. Incoming letters of any thickness are usually
thought to contain money and are subsequently opened and resealed
again when they find that no money is enclosed. An "official"
stamp is placed on the back of the envelope stating the letter
arrived damaged.

I continue to receive regular papers from Indonesia and keep
in touch with many of my friends, who say the system has not
changed in any way.

Indonesia has so much to offer, but corruption should
certainly not be included in it. Now it's up to the "authorities"
to start setting some positive examples, to entice tourists to
return again.

M. WARD

Korumburra, Australia