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