Shipping saga

Shipping saga

On July 10, 2001, 2001 I shipped four large crates from Canada by Jori International Limited to Indonesia. Five weeks later on Aug. 13, 2001, I had a call from a man named Heru Sumantri from PT Freight Lini Express Indonesia (PT FLEI), who stated that my personal freight would be arriving on Aug. 18, 2001, it would cost Rp 3 million to clear customs and I would need to go to Surabaya.

I arrived in Surabaya on Aug. 20, 2001. I met Heru who said the cost would be Rp 5 million and it had to be paid up front. So, I questioned the extra Rp 2 million? Heru explained that he had told my lawyer that Rp 3 million would be for the firm and another Rp 3 million would be for clearing customs, so now it amounted to Rp 6 million.

I had no problem paying that amount but I needed to see the original documentation. Heru refused. Afterwards, Heru told me to deposit Rp 5 million into his personal account and he would deal with customs. I felt there was something wrong about this and that Heru was cheating me.

I flew back to Bali frustrated. I tried to find out who Heru Sumantri's boss was. I spoke to my lawyer, Aryana Sari SH, and she phoned the head office of PT FLEI. Finally, she spoke with Mrs. Lynda Fryldia and explained my problem with Heru Sumantri. Lynda Fryldia said that she would talk with Heru and try to solve the problem.

On Sept. 10, 2001, I flew back to Surabaya as both Mrs. Lynda and Heru said that I could have my freight. I arrived at Heru's company PT FLEI and met with Heru again. He only complicated things by canceling everything in customs so that I would have to start all over again. While I was waiting for him in his office frustrated, I met a man named Made Sudana from PT Lintas Sukma Sejahtera. Made heard of the problem and he offered to help me clear customs and get my belongings.

I learned from Made that my freight had been moved to another warehouse by Heru and scheduled to be destroyed within a few days. I did get my shipment with Made's help in the end but I discovered many things had been taken from it and PT FLEI refused to comment or take responsibility for their actions. It is clear to me that the entire company are liars and corrupt in their business dealings.

PAUL HAMEL

Denpasar, Bali