Racist Indonesian fees

Racist Indonesian fees

Since I first arrived in Indonesia more than 12 years ago, I have been very aware of the fact that westerners are regarded as 'walking ATMs' and at that time there were no ATMs in Indonesia.

It took me a little longer to realize that it is not just the ordinary people who think this way, the Government does too. I have done my fair share of traveling around the world but I don't think there is any country which can beat Indonesia for its officially sanctioned racism.

I have an Indonesian Driving License which is issued on an annual basis and costs me Rp 350,000. An Indonesian friend just renewed his license at a cost of Rp 200,000 and it is valid for five years so he pays just Rp 40,000 per year whereas mine costs me almost this much per month. Is this fair?

As a Kitas holder, I have the annual hassle and expense of renewing my permit to work in this country and then the iniquitous tax on foreigners of US$100 per month, payable annually in advance, plus an 'Administration fee' of another $50. This has to paid in 12 clean, new $100 bills and 1 clean, new $50 bill but there is never a receipt issued. Where does this money go?

I have accepted all this as the price I have to pay to live in this country but today I heard a story that I find difficult to comprehend. An Indonesian friend who owns a business in Bali was asked by his bank - Panin - if he would like to borrow some money. As he is currently having a house built and needs a little financial help, he went to the bank and asked to borrow Rp 150 million. He offered, as security, the certificates of land he owns worth over Rp 600 million, so the bank would have been on to a good deal but his application was refused. Why? Because he has a wife who is not Indonesian. The bank said that this was a general instruction from the Bank of Indonesia and on checking with other banks in Bali, the same story was given.

If anyone reading this can explain why this blatant xenophobia should be allowed, I would be happy to hear from you but it seems that, for the present time at least, I have to give a word of warning. If you are Indonesian and think that at any time in your life you may need to ask for a bank loan, don't marry a bule!

Andrew Charles,

Denpasar, Bali