The Jakarta Post, October 28, 2006
The new colonialist
Indonesian history documents the courage of so many who fought to overcome
centuries of injustice and bring equity to our people.
While we suffered at the hands of the Dutch, independence brought the hope that all
Indonesians would be treated with respect. Sadly, we all witness on a day-to-day
basis that this has not been achieved, the reality being that the Dutch have simply
been replaced by new colonial masters, in this case Indonesians who abuse their
power and privilege.
This sad state of affairs is even worse when perpetrated by an organization owned by
the people of Indonesia -- Garuda Indonesian
On Oct. 17 at 7 a.m., at the "Yogyakarta" check-in counter in Soekarno-Hatta airport,
instead of witnessing customer service at its finest, I witnessed the new colonial
masters at their worst.
From their dress, conversation and baggage they were carrying, I believe I am valid in
assuming six "national heroes", or Indonesian migrant workers (the country's second
highest source of foreign exchange), were checking in, returning from their overseas
"domestic" work and anxious to continue their home journey to Yogyakarta.
By his speech, attitude and tone of voice, the Garuda check-in officer treated these
customers in a most demeaning and belittling manner. Instead of receiving either
common courtesy or the good service that I was receiving at the neighboring counter
to Semarang, these "national heroes" were instructed and handled like second-class
citizens.
Unfortunately many of the very positive virtues of Indonesian culture serve us so poorly
in these types of situations. Given their roles, these "national heroes" probably
assume that their treatment should not be different from that which their forefathers
received from the Dutch. The time for change is now!
MARI MULYANI
Jakarta
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