I have been a proud reader of The Jakarta Post since I came back to live in Indonesia. I am 85 years old.

I read Haris's article titled "Batak Mythology: human beings and the sky inseparable", (the Post, March 29, p. 6) with utmost interest for at least two reasons.

First, my father is the son of a Bataknese -- Siregar. My father died long time ago. I never set foot on Batak ground because we are a condemned family.

My Batak grandfather married in secret with my Irish grandmother in the early 1900s. Since I came back to Indonesia, I tried to contact my father's Siregar family, but I failed.

Second, I am an artist. I used magical symbolisms in my artworks. Haris's article opens a vision of my long thought to link my expression with my ancestors' magical work.

What a great surprise. It has opened my wonderful world and my artwork.

In 1976, I lived in Surabaya and I heard that the head of the immigration office in Surabaya was a Siregar. I thought that he perhaps was family of mine.

At that time, I needed a permit to stay in Indonesia so I decided to visit him. That morning I introduced myself using my family name, so I said proudly, "My name is John Siregar."

He looked startled and he called one of his clerks and said, "Ini ada orang gila. Tolong dia." (This is an insane man. Help him). I left with disappointment*

JOHN SCHLECHTER

Pasuruan, East Java

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