Expatriates in Indonesia

Expatriates in Indonesia

I was deeply offended by the article which appeared last
Sunday entitled A piece of experience in a corner of Borneo, by a
Mr. Gary Gentry. What is the point of publishing such drivel?

I have had the pleasure of working in East Kalimantan since
1982. As principal of the Pasir Ridge International school in
Balikpapan, I have come to know a large number of expatriates
working in the region and have visited Bontang at least once a
year for the last 12 years.

Maybe Mr. Gentry does represent a very small group whose
interest in Indonesia can be summed up as he states "the only
thing I ever wanted to learn about the place (Indonesia) was how
to get paid and how to get out when the job was over".

However, the average expatriate I know has a very different
perspective on life in Indonesia. True, many are here because of
the financial rewards, but regard their time in Indonesia as a
privilege. Many play very active and positive roles in the
community.

Mr. Gentry's very callous disregard for the law regarding the
purchase of Orangutans also disgusts me. Here in East Kalimantan
the actions of the expatriate community, including the school
children, have largely been responsible for the establishment of
the worldwide recognized Orangutan reintroduction program at
Wanariset. Over the last three years this program has rescued
over 160 orangutans and has successfully released 60 of these
back to the wild.

I would also like to ask when this article was written. Back
when 50,000 Rps was equal to $50 U.S.? A very long time ago? I
would like to encourage other expatriates to write to the editor
about their experiences living in Indonesia and tell of the many
positive things that have been done. At least this should give
the editor some discretion in what he might decide to publish in
the future.

JOSEPH W. CUTHBERTSON

Balikpapan,

East Kalimantan