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em>A few days ago, some friends and I were having a rather lively and heated discussion concerning the appropriateness of us foreign visitors being critical of certain behaviors of Indonesian people. The behaviors to which I am referring to are those which endanger the health, safety or quality of life of all people in Indonesia, native and foreign alike. What gave rise to the discussion was that I had recounted how, a few days previously, I had witnessed a young girl, perhaps of junior high school age, pull her motorcycle to the side of the road and throw a large plastic bag of garbage away.

As she was riding away, I slowed my motorcycle and said, in a loud enough voice for her to hear me, "Whoa! Whaa!" She looked at me with a very guilty look on her face and drove away. After telling this story, one friend told me he does not feel we expatriates have any right to be either judgmental or critical of the Indonesians; that we are visitors to their country and visitors should never criticize their hosts.

Your comments:
Excuse me? Last time I checked this is The Jakarta Post, one of the few English language newspapers in Indonesia. Last time I checked the latest winner of Miss Indonesia was unable to speak Indonesian properly, yet we let her win.

Now to James, I do applaud your insights and comments regarding those behaviors. I'm an Indonesian currently living in Canada, yet my co-workers actually appreciate it when I started criticizing the system I disapprove of. Most of them are actually proud to see that foreigners actually take an interest in their country as far as wanting to see improvements in Canada.

The sad part is, the majority of Indonesian are still caught up in blind nationalism and are too far inside their safe cocoon to even appreciate unbiased outsider opinion regarding the country. It is sad really. While James is one of a few foreigners who actually cares enough to see the change in Indonesia, we can't go past the fact that he is only a "guest" in the country.

Malarchy

I would like to thank James Taylor. You obviously feel that you indeed belong to us. We need more people like you. Terimakasih.

Moeljono Adikoesoemo
Jakarta

The notion that because you are a guest in a country, you have to forgo the basic human right of free speech, at least in the context that you have described, is to me a nonsense.

I completely agree that there are limits, and that any opinion should be measured, constructive, not deliberately designed to offend and, of course, mindful of local custom. But within these parameters one surely has a right to speak ones mind.

Democracy as a concept transcends borders, and democratic rights are no more or less dependant on whether you happen to be in your own country.

The old quote, "I may not agree with what you say but I will always defend your right to say it", just would not seem right if one added the caveat, "unless you happen to be a foreigner, in which case, keep your bloody mouth shut".

Perhaps your friend should look at his own logic more closely and be asking the question of himself, "How should I and my fellow countrymen be acting as a host?" especially on this, an island that depends upon foreign visitors for its existence.

I would put the questions to him: does a tourist for example, who has been lured to Bali on the basis that for their money they will find paradise, have the right to voice a complaint if the place is littered with garbage; or would they have a right to say something, as you did, if they saw somebody throwing a plastic bag of rubbish from a motorbike onto the beach?

Your friend may well say that tourists and expats are entirely different cases, and that expats have not a right for concern or a pride in their surround: in which case, give up.

Mike Johnsey

James, normally, throwing garbage on the roads is not right, but you need to also understand Indonesia is a generally poor country, nearly half the population are considered very poor by any standards, so, whilst the lady might have understood you, it is too easy for your friend to misunderstand you as a rich expat who looked down on Indonesians in general when you criticize. Yes, it's very much a reflection of your friend, than on you, but it's a prevalent one.

Sadly, throwing garbage on the roads is nothing new in Jakarta - it doesn't make it right, but shouldn't the locals admonish the lady instead? Have you considered the possibility that maybe not everyone in Jakarta is ready for such direct approach? What you did is right, but when you "brag" to your friend (the Western way of raising issues directly can be easily misinterpreted as "bragging"), perhaps he doesn't like it and then says "expats have no right to tell Indonesians what to do".

At this stage of development, your time is better spent on educating a local who is receptive to what is right and wrong, than to work on someone stubborn, if you are looking for maximum change. Otherwise, don't be surprised if your friend continues to admonish you on your "expat rights".

Trader

Yes, I believe you have every right to say these things. However you need to keep in mind that many people are not at all aware of any wrong doing, since nobody has ever told them about the dangers or implications.

Enrico

Most of my friends have said the same thing about being a guest. But, aberrant behavior must always be pointed out and corrected, from blatant violations of human rights such as genocide to just simply smoking at a dinner table in a restaurant. Who draws the line and where?

Briend

The issue of littering is a universal one. It is not the Indonesian custom to litter. Thus, I don't understand why James Taylor's friend needs to be defensive about him criticizing the act of littering. Mr. Taylor was not judging Indonesia or Indonesians -- he was criticizing poor social and environmental behavior. I don't see anything wrong with it.

Andre P. Siregar

I believe you can be critical about your host country, especially about things that are of global value. However, you must always be critical in a polite manner. Never insult the locals, and let them understand that you do not feel superior to them.

Sharon

James, well written comments. I believe I have a right to complain. I am a resident in Indonesia, have built a business, and pay considerable taxes, and have contributed much to the local society.

That is pretty much everything, except citizenship. Yes, I complain, and also praise.

Doc Tur

I disagree with you, James, but not because we should not criticize our host country. I've been living in France and have practiced a daily sport of criticizing the French ways, which my host (the French people) who would respond with arguments back. It's all acceptable here, and in many other places in the world.

But Indonesia is a nation where social harmony is ensured by the concept of "face" - avoiding embarrassing yourself or others, which I'm sure you know very well. Criticism doesn't go down well with Indonesians.

You've probably seen that between Indonesians, they avoid showing anger or frustration and avoiding serious debates that could cause offense - just look at how mild the presidential debates have been.

Fatje

I think it's up to the government to put ads on TV about littering/bad driving etc.

It is the responsibility of the government to start such initiatives and the general public to act on it. If you are from another country so what?

At least you care and show you care. (I guess there are many ways to tell someone not to litter, maybe assume they don't know what is wrong with it and explain to them why it's wrong and illegal). The world population is at a critical level and we must be accountable for the mess that we create, otherwise castrate us all so we can't procreate!

Rahadi Widodo

Hey James, I think you have the right, as a citizen of the world, to be critical. It's not about what you want to do but how you do it. So you need to be more polite, whenever you display anger and displeasure. After 15 years of living in Bali, I think you learn how polite Indonesian people are even when they are angry. You shouldn't offend them! it's Indonesian way.