When there's a will ...

When there's a will ...

We are German citizens, living in Indonesia. My husband is
working in the field of education development with the German
government. Our daughter is a medical student, who wanted to
visit us for two weeks. Upon her arrival, I could not find her at
Soekarno-Hatta airport.

As I learned later, she was not allowed by Indonesian
immigration to enter the country and was sent back. Her German
passport was valid for only one more month instead of the six
months required. There was no information for me waiting outside,
no communication, no chance of having any time to help and do
something.

We do understand that regulations have to be followed, but
aren't there ways of handling such a case with a bit more
sensibility, humanity, assistance and respect? Instead, I felt
that our daughter was treated like a criminal, in front of other
passengers, while exhausted after a 23-hour journey.

In Singapore, however, with similar immigration regulations,
everything worked well with the help and coordination of
Emirates Airlines, Singapore immigration department and the
German Embassy. Our daughter was permitted to enter Singapore,
stay and rest there and get a new passport issued by the German
Embassy.

Finally, after having lost both time and money, she was able
to enter Indonesia. Couldn't this have been possible in
Indonesia, too?
This shows that there's always a way if there's a will, and that
makes all the difference.

JUTTA HOLLER
Bandung