Dining at Sailendra

On Aug. 5, 2002, three of my friends and I had lunch at Sailendra restaurant, at JW Mariott, Jakarta. When we entered the hotel and restaurant, we got the impression that the hotel and restaurant were of an international standard. This impression vanished immediately when I discovered that my mobile phone went missing from the table while my two friends were still enjoying their meal. In fact, there were two dirty plates on our table and the waiter took only the one rather far from my friends. The person who stole my mobile phone really had guts because he stole it while we were still sitting at the table.

I realize it is unethical to directly accuse the waiters/waitress of stealing my cell phone. But who took the dirty plates away? The guests?

I put my cell phone on the table because two of my friends were still eating there. I was sure then that my cell phone would not go missing. When we ate in the same restaurant some time ago, my friend did the same and did not lose his cell phone.

When I found that my cell phone had disappeared I contacted the manager in charge. I was promised that they would trace the theft and summoned the security officers from the hotel. Unfortunately, the men from the hotel took action lackadaisically.

The management of JW Mariott promised to thoroughly look into the matter but until now I haven't had any response. The management must know that a friend of mine also lost his cell phone some time ago in this hotel and restaurant. Can a hotel of international standard not give a quick response? How much longer do I have to wait? The management must think that losing a mobile phone is something commonplace. I'm waiting for some kind of clarification.

RINI M. POERNAWAN

Jakarta