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