Not all expats here to exploit

Not all expats here to exploit

I am writing to give another point view on the letter (Jan.
31) written by Mr. Bahariawan K.T., which said that "if expats
don't like the conditions here, they are free to decide what is
best for them."

I am an Englishman, working as the general manager of an
Indonesian hotel in Batam. I married an Indonesian lady in
Jakarta in 1994, and have great affection for my Indonesian
relatives, and Indonesia, where I have lived for three years.

This year, the hotel was given the Otorita Award for cleanest
hotel in Batam, and when the journalists asked me why the hotel
won the award, I told them "because we are bringing international
standards to Batam."

We are not all here for the money, Mr. Bahariawan. If I worked
in neighboring countries I would be paid a higher salary. Some of
us are here because we love Indonesians, and Indonesia, and are
doing our best to help your country. Not all expats "demonstrate
typical western arrogance and ignorance of our society," as you
state.

Some of us are your society.

KENNETH DOWD

Batam