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