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