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his is in reference to an article “Solutions sought as RI braces for possible influx of refugees,” (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 28, 2011).

The Indonesian government has not been a good neighbor to Australia. It has allowed free movement of people smugglers. More than that, it has turned a blind eye to their illegal activities.

Some people must have made a bundle in allowing all this to happen blatantly. I’m more concerned with the horrible fate that has befallen more than 600 impoverished, stupid and gullible Indonesian fishermen who have been recruited to crew the leaky boats to carry these asylum seekers to Australia.

The Indonesian crews end up in jail for mandatory imprisonment of five years.

OK, they are well looked after by the Australian government. They are fed well and their health is looked after. But they suffer a great deal of stress knowing that their wives, children and dependents are starving back in Indonesia. All of this suffering is for a paltry pay of about Rp 3 million (US$333). The Indonesian government could help its poor citizens on the islands of Alor, Rote, Muncar, Pangandaran, Pasuruan and Buton, to name a few, to improve their welfare and tell them that it is not worth their lives to take part in those illegal activities.

The Indonesian government for once can be a good neighbor to Australia that has given a lot of assistance (including three patrol boats) in stopping the miserable human trafficking.

Paul E. Rantaau
Jakarta