Letters : RI is a country to be proud of

I refer to a By The Way article titled "Being Indonesian and proud of it, (Sunday Post, March 29, p. 1).

I couldn't agree more with you that the visa application process is, most of the time, very tiring and time-consuming. Nevertheless, I do believe that we are not alone feeling such a way. Other nationals from other countries feel the same way, that the visa application process is too complicated.

I live abroad and had one experience when a foreigner was complaining about our visa application process. He was very demanding and tended to be bossy by telling our government officials behind the consular counters that his visa should be ready by the time he came back (that is, the next day).

I, who overheard his complaints, told him he should follow the rules and regulations of the visa application process issued by the country, in this case, Indonesia. The arrogant foreigner argued that that he should be treated differently due to his origin. Is it because we are Asian and that makes him better than us?

We feel we are often treated very unfairly every time we want to apply for a visa to travel abroad. We have to provide evidence of being able to financially self-sponsor during our trip to countries like the United States or countries in Western Europe. But what about them? Do they have to do the same thing? No, they don't have to. Maybe it is time for us (Indonesians) to review the prevailing rules and regulations of our visa application process and start to think about reciprocity.

Indonesia is not perfect. But at least we have a country to be proud of. We should think about other countries or countries-to-be struggling for independence and sovereignty. Also, we should think about other nationals who often are treated more viciously than us. We are more fortunate than they are. It is our humble duty to improve our country by any means.

Roy Wahab

Jakarta