More on Corby

A columnist to your newspaper uses excuses instead of the truth to explain why Australians are so upset about the miscarriage of justice that has taken place in the Schapelle Corby case.

The truth is that every person who reads about Schapelle Corby realizes that he or she, or one of his or her children, could be in Corby's place. Each is obviously appalled at the seemingly blind eagerness of the Indonesian authorities to throw Corby into jail for the rest of her life.

Indeed, the uninvolved observer can't help but wonder if Corby has not become the token white woman trophy for the Indonesian police and judiciary.

The danger for Indonesia lies in the widespread international exposure this case is getting, and the very clear message it sends to foreigners not to ever visit or, indeed, have anything to do with Indonesia in the future.

This could be a disaster for the Indonesian economy and its people. Indonesia cannot afford to have vigilante officials blindly pursue their own agendas and, in the process, causing unbelievable damage to the country's reputation, economy and, ultimately, its stability.

ALLAN KIRK, Masterton, New Zealand