Short story

One of the dangers of writing fiction in the first person is that it may be taken as truth. This was clearly the case with my short story, originally entitled Prakla, which appeared as an "article" in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 26 with a headline (written by the editors) instead of the title. I hereby inform all readers of the Post that the "article" which appeared under my name is a work of fiction, and was indicated to be such in the letter which accompanied its submission. I expected the story to be printed in the Short Story Department, and was shocked to see it printed as a non-fiction article.

My entire family has spent many pleasant, culturally rewarding years in Indonesia. My three children attended Bontang International School in the early 1980s and graduated from high school at JIS in Jakarta. I have great respect for Indonesia and its people including those in the frontiers where oil and gas are found. I hope Mr. Cuthbertson, who attacked me over the "article" in Your Letters, March 12 will read my previous story in the Post, Feb. 5, entitled Ibu Wati, which gives an entirely different picture from Prakla.

The characters in Prakla are fictitious composites of several oil industry nomads who (at least in those heydays) followed projects around the world, wherever there was work. Their attitudes (not mine) are reflected in the story.

What is the point of such stories? The point is to depict a group of people who have been crucial to Indonesia's development, like it or not. They are rough and not entirely admirable, but they are real and they are a part of Indonesia's history just as cattle rustlers were a part of America's. Perhaps if one pays attention, one can learn from observing their negative example. And if one isn't too uptight, one might be entertained at the same time. That's why we have villains in literature.

I offer my apologies to anyone who was offended by the piece. There was certainly no disrespect meant to Indonesia, Indonesians, nor to the huge number of caring expatriates who live and work in this fascinating, lovely country.

GARY GENTRY

South Jakarta

We apologize for the error and any resulting offense.

-- Editor