Idl Fitri Has Arrived
So we are on a ten day hiatus from school while the whole of Indonesia makes the trek back to their home villages to celebrate Idl Fitri, which marks the end of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. That means that going into Jakarta (a mere 22 miles away) wouldn’ take an hour and we could actually see a little of the city without a good portion of the 25 million normal residents. And so we went.
Last Monday we were heading into a part of Jakarta called Kemang. This is the section where most of the expats hang out and where the Pelita Harapan Foundation (the one’s that run the school I am at) are building a huge inner-city village stocked with a new international school and hospital. We had not been to Kemang yet so we thought it would be a good time to visit.
License and Registration… Not So Much
As we were traversing the criss-crossing sideways and back alleys just trying to find a main road I came upon a light that we just turning red. So, like a good driver, I stopped abruptly so as not to run the light. While we were waiting for it to turn, I see a uniformed police officer on the other side of the intersection waving cars through. As I began to go once the light went green, he immediately motioned to me that I needed to pull over.
Once I had pulled my car over, the officer tried to tell me in broken English and Bahasa Indonesia that I had stopped in front of (maybe two inches) that invisible line back there and would be getting a ticket. He would have to write me the ticket which I would have to pay at the police station. But wait, if I wanted to just pay him right now, I wouldn’t have to worry about it.
“How about 100,000 rupiah?” said the officer, which would have been about $10 USD.
“Yeah, but I am not in the wrong here officer so you’ll have to write me the ticket,” said the American.
“Well, you give me a price,” the officer retorted.
“No.”
“I’ll be right back then.”
I had made up my mind before hand that I would not be paying any bribes in this country. I do not care if it makes things easier or it is “just the way things are done.” I don’t believe our ethics should be thrown out the window whenever something is tough. However, after sitting there for a few minutes (while the officer just stood around the corner NOT writing me a ticket, but waiting for me to come to the following conclusion) I decided that taking my wife and two kids and sitting in a foreign police station where I was not anywhere near proficient in the local language all day just wasn’t worth it.
I motioned for the cop to return and told him I’d only give him 50,000 rupiah ($5). I probably would have given less but all I had were 50’s. He took it and then gave me directions to Kemang. Let’s just say that I didn’t keep my frustration to myself. I was very irate. I was upset that the man cheated me, most likely because I was a foreigner. But more so, I was upset because I had given in when I did not want to. I pray the Lord’s forgiveness for failing to stick with what I know is right, despite the situation.
Mexican and McDonalds
After leaving Krusty the Cop, we found the section of town that we were looking for. We stuffed our faces with the warm, cheesy Mexican food from Amigos, what seems to be the only Mexican joint here. Then we rounded the day off at a McDonald’s because they had a nice play place for Jeremiah and he deserved some play time. What was awesome about the McD’s is that they had a McCafe inside. The whole restaurant was ten times the size of any restaurant here and it was designed with high class style in mind. There were lounging couches and art noveau tables. There was a free wifi section, which came equipped with about ten desktops for free browsing. And there was me, chasing my son through the colorful tubes while escaping away every few minutes to share a chocolate frappucino with my wife.
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That sounds like a frustrating situation! I guess it could be worse; I read a research paper one time that found that in some parts of the world crime would actually be reduced with a smaller police force because the police were so criminal…
[...] that ties right into being considered native Jakartans. Every October during the Muslim Holy Day, Idl Fitri, when most of Indonesia is on the move (and on the highway) to kembali ke kampung,3 the Betawi do [...]
What an experience!!! Well, your experience has somehow shamed me as an Indonesian… I know how frustrating it is when dealing with Indonesian cop… But the one you dealed with was even far than what I have ever thought of them… He should not act the way he did! As a cop, he suppose to serve you as a “king” (moreover you’re an expat!!)… I thought Indonesia has improved in almost all areas of public services, but I have my doubt.. Talking about good McD’s, I believe it is one of that improved areas and I am proud that.. Hope you and your family could enjoy the best of Indonesia!!
Well Kevin, it was a frustrating day. But that’s all a part of the excitement of being a foreigner, I guess. I can say that in the year since it happened I haven’t had any more run-ins with the police, though I do feel a little anxiety when we’re near them. Indonesia does have some troubled issues, but it also has some great aspects, too! Like my students! Plus, what country doesn’t have corrupt people? I know America does – even in high places.