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Letters: Graft at the airport
Fri, 07/03/2009 2:58 PM | Reader's Forum
I would like to comment on convicted corruptor Djoko S. Tjandra's travel out of Indonesia one day before the court handed down its verdict.
On June 23, at around 3.00 p.m., my customer flew from Europe to Jakarta airport to connect to Semarang. She came to the meeting with me to give final approval for orders for Indonesia from many containers. However, what really pissed her off very much, was that she got robbed by the visa on arrival officer, who was on duty at that time at Soekarno-Hatta airport.
She accidentally ran out of empty pages in her passport, but still there was a last page that had only one stamp. He suddenly took that to make excuse to reject her.
Then he asked how she would show appreciation if he helped. She had no choice, so she offered US$40, then he threatened to send her back as it was too little, finally he made a number of $200 to worth his kindness. She finally had to pay him to get the visa to get in this country to finish our work.
She then saw the same officer rob the Indian-Canadian behind her, who just need to transit to Bangkok.
This is the cancer of society. This officer is damaging your country's image. He is on the front line welcoming tourists and investors from around the world to your country and he is the first to show that corruption and bribery is commonplace in Indonesia.
This person needs to be punished and removed from his office and an investigation needs to determine if a higher authority knew about this, but ignored, or got a share of the money. It would not be hard to check who was on duty that day.
Yes, corruption and bribery is everywhere in every country, but it does not means that we should accept it as part of life or ignore it, because, later on, our children will think stealing or cheating is not wrong. We must be firm on what is right or wrong and instill these values in our children. This is essential for a better future of our society. I hope my voice will be heard and will help improve things there. I like Indonesia and I met many good Muslim friends and business partners and they were upset at this officer ruining their image.
Nana
Bangkok
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11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca
Widya Utama (not verified) — Sat, 07/18/2009 - 5:47pm
Does The Jakarta Post forward the above letter to a Higher Authority?
Widya Utama (not verified) — Sat, 07/18/2009 - 5:43pm
This kind of officials usually are coward persons. If I was treatened that way by the VOA Official, I would say he can refuse me and send me back where I come from and tell him that I write down his name.
I am sure that person will pee in his trouser.
I have been stopped by Police for having violated traffic rule. The police ask for payment but without receipt. The police gave up and get no a dime from my pocket.