On May 15, at about 6.45 p.m., I got into a Blue Bird taxi on Jl. Syarridin with my 36-month-old son. I told the driver to take us to Pasar Raya Blok M, South Jakarta. Upon reaching our destination, I gave my son a Rp 50,000 (US$5) banknote to hand over to the driver for the Rp 36,000 taxi fare. The driver took the money and said thank you but did not give us any change back.

Your comments:

I thought this experience with taxi drivers was only reserved for expatriates; whenever I ask for change, they always say, "Sorry, I have no small change." Sure, it's bad here, especially in the Kemang area, but I must admit that it's also very bad in Bali. They love stiffing expatriates. For Bluebird (or any of the Blue Bird Group) what happened to Ibu Mohinder is rare. It is all those other taxis, the lower the rank the taxi is the sleazier the drivers are.

They lie; they have change, but don't want to give it. What works best I find is to say: "OK, you wait while I go get some change," and then they come up with the change. A few thousand rupah is one thing, I don't mind tipping, but when they will not give the change from a Rp 100,000 note for a Rp 65,000 fare, it is daylight robbery. I do try to keep enough small change on me, so I can avoid the hassle.

Shelby

I sympathize with the passenger and son for this experience with the taxi driver. Rude taxi drivers are common in Kuala Lumpur too, and I have had my share of nightmares with them. However, it is heartening that in Jakarta an apology may be made and I think one should accept this positively. Among some Asians it is deemed appropriate for an adult to handle transactions between adults, especially in a face-to-face situation such as this.

Lara

Clerics want rules for Facebook -- May 21, Online

Muslim clerics are seeking ways to regulate online behavior in Indonesia, saying the exploding popularity of social networking sites like Facebook could encourage illicit sex. Around 700 clerics, or imams, gathered in the world's most populous Muslim nation were considering guidelines ruling their followers from going online to flirt or engage in practices they believe could encourage extramarital affairs.

Your comments:

When I buy my visa-on-arrival and I pay in another currency than US dollars, customs staffs consistently never give me back any change, until I explicitly ask for it. They said that Rp 120,000 = US$10, until I demand to see the currency conversion table.

I am already being ripped off by government staff before I have even entered the country! As I proceed my way into the country, I see many examples of dishonest and disrespectful behavior in an attempt to knock the money out of other people's pockets.

The Muslim clerics have a lot of work to do in this country. Some dirty talk on Facebook or whichever social networking site should be very low on their list of priorities. There are many other things worth much more of their attention!

Pref. St.

Just more nonsense from these nonsensical people. If they had their way, all Indonesians would be living in caves!

Raja

My friends and I use Facebook to keep in contact with each other when other avenues are not available. Who is it that now demands it to be ruled for possible sexual/whatever misuse?

The people should look very carefully at their own morals if they suspect others of misusing Facebook. This can only mean they themselves were either looking for such misuse, would misuse it themselves or already done so! And therefore, they have proven such misuse could happen.

Lynne McKay

There are poor people everywhere and they don't do anything about them? Sexual desire is a part of human nature. It is something that we all have to deal with in life - including getting a wife.

Anon

Whilst I agree that Facebook and many other Internet-based social networking groups can be used for immoral purposes, I would be very interested to know the exact percentage of Muslims that use the sites for immoral purposes?

There are many other Internet sites that cater specifically for the type of behavior this article is describing, mainly the online dating/chat sites. Modern communication tools are great at enhancing our lives.

David

Jakarta

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