Crisis and friendship

When I was in Singapore for several weeks recently, I followed the news on the fate of Indonesian citizens trying to have a better life in our neighboring countries, namely Singapore and Malaysia, as a result of the major economic crisis in Indonesia.

There are times that I ask myself: how and what have these unfortunate people suffered? A part of my questions was answered by my own experience as an Indonesian citizen who has to travel during this economic condition.

A most unpleasant incident occurred during my trip to Singapore. Due to frequent overseas travel, my Indonesian passport, which is valid until 2000, has only a few pages left empty for arrival and departure stamps. Subsequently, as usual, when I arrived from Bangkok on SQ 63 at 2:30 p.m. on April 29, 1998, I politely asked the immigration officer at Changi Airport to do me a big favor by putting the stamp on a used page.

This officer then took me to the on-duty supervisor. This young supervisor, instead of trying to explain in a pleasant manner that it was impossible for him to do so, boldly said that I needed to show my return ticket (this had never happened to me before in Singapore).

I explained patiently that my return ticket was left at the Oriental Hotel, Marina Center, and I suggested to him to check:

* By calling the Oriental Hotel where my husband and I have stayed for over 150 visits.

* To clarify with SQ and to find out that I was indeed booked to fly back to Jakarta on SQ 158 on May 2.

* To retain my passport and allow me to go to the hotel to pick up my return ticket to Jakarta.

Also, the young officer repeatedly stated that he had the right to deport me. I was amazed at this incident happened to me when Singapore has always prided itself of service excellence. Then I started to wonder how the Singapore authority treated those poor illegal immigrants.

MRS. WATI ABDULGANI-KNAPP

Jakarta