Foreigners and ID papers
I am alarmed by the news that foreigners are breaking the law if found without identification papers. The authorities should publicize this requirement at all airports, because visitors from democratic countries will be entirely unaware that they could possibly be subject to the type of laws found in communist states.
Once they have passed through immigration, they would not expect to be asked for passports or visas (let alone ID cards) until leaving the country.
Passports are something you put in the hotel safe deposit, because if carried they may be lost or stolen -- and then you really are in trouble.
Please give some guidance on the laws affecting foreign visitors and residents in this area.
E.S. WEBBER
Jl. Bhayangkara Dua
Jayapura
Irian Jaya 99112
;JP;ANR; ANPAk..r.. Letter-TrueLies JP/2/LETTER
`True Lies'
From Media Indonesia
Having watched the controversial True Lies, I personally agree that it be banned. It has raised a debate among people in all walks of life. Lay persons watching this film may not clearly notice which part of the film provoked the outrage; but those who are more perceptive, or who know a little about the film industry will surely feel uneasy about the scenes which expressly insult a certain religion.
I felt relieved when I heard that the Censor Certificate of True Lies had been withdrawn as of Oct. 1. This ends the public polemic, although the action is a little late in light of the authority in this matter, the Film Censor Board.
WISHNU F. WIBOWO
Jl. Letjen Suprapto no. 17
Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta ;JP;ANR; ANPAk..r.. Letter-Parcel Service JP/2/LETTER
Trauma due to parcel service
From Media Indonesia
I now understand the feeling of constant insecurity, since I encountered an experience with the United Parcel Service (UPS), an international courier service with a high level reputation.
Now I know not to trust their promotions of `express guarantee' as it turns out this was merely boasting.
My traumatic experience occurred when I sent a packet to California, the United States, on July 7. Earlier packages reached the destination only two days later -- but up to now there is no sign of that particular package.
I have repeatedly requested an explanation from the UPS but their answers are far from satisfactory.
On July 16, UPS' area manger Devie Suripto sent a written explanation revealing that my package had been found in Hong Kong and that UPS was conducting an investigation into the matter.
I hoped this was a slight error and that UPS would stick to its commitment to deliver the package to its proper destination.
On July 22 I was very happy when a woman called Dewi from the company reported that the package had been delivered on July 19, 10:25 a..m. local time.
However, when I confirmed this with the person I sent the package to in California, it turned out the package was never received.
Of course I was shocked and repeatedly contacted the UPS offices both in Jakarta and California. They all replied that the package had been delivered to the doorstep of the destination.
However, in the end, the last answer was that the package had disappeared. I was advised to forward a claim. How easy and simple it is for UPS to settle this matter, while for me the loss of the package is not merely a matter of monetary value. There was a value to it that is unmeasurable in terms of money.
Their sense of responsibility is so thin that a package is merely delivered to ones' doorstep, and customers are left to depend on any way the service's employees choose to work, without a sense of security that their delivery will arrive safe and on time.
Through this letter I merely hope that UPS personnel everywhere will view a package not merely as a wrapped, big or small object. A package encloses a value far more than money.
SOEKARNO
Jakarta