Why would Immigration need to take my passport?

[Puspawarna]

Yep... it does raise the next question though.... should I stay or should I go?

Yikes. Sounds pretty serious if you are asking yourself that question. I wish we could hear more details, but it's quite understandable if you want to stay circumspect.

Can you expect any support from your employer?

 

[Jaime C]

Passport was returned this evening.

I doubt this saga is over yet.

Well, it's a postive step on the surface, anyway.

 

[Chiron]

It sounds like there's a much longer story to what has happened. In any case I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you're having.

This example of what appears to be a false witness, and manipulation of authorities is something I've had mild anxiety about as I've considered to live permanently in Indonesia. Over the years, I've heard a couple different stories about people who've done things like this. Making threats that could lead to deportation, and one time threatening to report apostasy for eating pork and drinking beer in a situation that didn't agree with the accuser. Nothing ever came of these examples, but it has caused me to think long thoughts on how to handle the approach to living in Indonesia. Especially if you've made commitments and put roots into your life there.

My wife (who's fairly reserved) has advised that we should be very low key in all our relationships and dealings with others. In general, the less said the better. If you've been financially successful, better to not flaunt that as a rule. Live in more humble conditions, rather than ostentatious trappings. Be respectful and helpful where you can and the age old advice of avoiding religious and political conversations and debates. I understand and agree with this advice, but at the same time you have to be the character you are. I'm sure it will be an interesting source of life education, and additional character building on my part.

 

[William King]

Yikes. Sounds pretty serious if you are asking yourself that question. I wish we could hear more details, but it's quite understandable if you want to stay circumspect.

Was in the process of looking already, so it helps confirm the decision.

Was wondering if I needed to book a flight this week, but a long conversation with a lawyer assures us (because family considerations also) that it's not that bad...yet.

I will also fill in details as I can...in the future.

Can you expect any support from your employer?

Of course, and they have been great so far. But they have limited power/strength/resources and so yes they are supporting... But need more.

Fortunately Mrs King has bigger/better connections who are also helping.

 

[Anglian]

Yes I’m afraid it’s who you know helps, so wifey must make use of her friends, in my 3 rd run in with a disgruntled ex employee, I sacked the QA manager a Balikpapan, he was offering my Sheet metal guys an engineers licence for one million RP, he was getting them some how from a friend at the DGAC in Jakarta, anyway as he went out the door his parting shot was that he was going to the DGAC to fix me, as soon as he got back to Jakarta he went to the DGAC , sadly for him I rang my more powerful friend before he got there and his complaints fell on stony ground,
It’s quiet amazing how childish and petty some Indonesians can get

 

[atlantis]

I will also fill in details as I can...in the future.

Remember that you can use the Cage to do so. As you know, it is a protected area of our forum, non public and which only a selected number of users can read.

 

[atlantis]

My wife (who's fairly reserved) has advised that we should be very low key in all our relationships and dealings with others. In general, the less said the better. If you've been financially successful, better to not flaunt that as a rule. Live in more humble conditions, rather than ostentatious trappings. Be respectful and helpful where you can and the age old advice of avoiding religious and political conversations and debates. I understand and agree with this advice, but at the same time you have to be the character you are. I'm sure it will be an interesting source of life education, and additional character building on my part.

I think that your wife has advised you very smartly. Keeping low profile is a key point whenever one live and do business in Indonesia along with maintaining good relation with your hood and its key people.

Yet, it doesn't mean that you won't be reported. A few months ago I had an acquaintance from Immigration passing by our office and warehouse for a friendly visit. His family lives nearby and he often stop for a chitchat with me. Nice guy. He is a "high" (at the province level) level officer who has had various duties in the supervisation of foreigners both in our Rudenim and KanwilI but also in the DitJenIm in JKT.

I had an interesting discussion with him and, in the course of the discussion he made an interesting comment. He told me that he has had several report from local people inquiring about my activities in the local markets and TPI. It was just an innocuous sentence during the discussion and I didn't question it further, especially since he said that he dismissed the reports telling them that, being married with an Indonesian lady I had the right to work.

However, what I found interesting is that, even after 17 years in the place, still some people believe that they could achieve anything by reporting me. The attitude and answer of my acquaintance however tends to prove (at least I want to believe it) that Indonesia is changing a bit and that this kind of report become less prevalent. Heck! 17 years ago I was reported every week or so, leading in two occasions to raids from Imigrasi (one of which I had to escape through a window and jumping out in the Jungle of Bunaken to avoid being caught) trying to catch me a third one to an interrogation by the Narcotics and a fourth one leading to a trial (in which I've been acquitted).

 

[vocalneal]

Yep... it does raise the next question though.... should I stay or should I go?

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

For the government to act you will need to be proven to have committed a crime.

Reporting someone to the government is akin to running to tell your mom that you don't like the boy down the street. Shows a level of maturity? Not.

 

[Chiron]

However, what I found interesting is that, even after 17 years in the place, still some people believe that they could achieve anything by reporting me. The attitude and answer of my acquaintance however tends to prove (at least I want to believe it) that Indonesia is changing a bit and that this kind of report become less prevalent. Heck! 17 years ago I was reported every week or so, leading in two occasions to raids from Imigrasi (one of which I had to escape through a window and jumping out in the Jungle of Bunaken to avoid being caught) trying to catch me a third one to an interrogation by the Narcotics and a fourth one leading to a trial (in which I've been acquitted).

Sounds like you've had more than your fair share of challenges, and might say that's a bit more excitement than I would know what to do with. I know a guy from the US who married an Indonesian lady, and he decided to retire in Central Java near her home town. They've been there for probably about 10 years now, and I've visited them a number of times over the years. I don't believe he's ever had an issue with Imigrasi. He started with a work visa (for the first couple years), then to the retirement visa after that. Could it be that if you're working or trying to build a business that the chances are higher for a reporting (false witness) incident? Retiree's may have other challenges, but maybe less incidence of disgruntled people towards them. It may also be a regional/location thing as well. There are lots of expats in Jakarta and Bali, and not so much in areas where expat populations are thin (like Solo for example). However, retiree or not, Solo or not - the low key approach is probably still the best approach.

 

[Davita]

@ Chiron post # 49
I'm not sure if your friend intended/planned to pay for a retirement visa but, if married to a WNI, it's much cheaper to apply for a spouse sponsored visa.

 

[Anglian]

There definitely some weird and childish Indonesian, fortunately not too many but if you unfortunately meet one it makes life hard, I had a chap try and assault me as he believed I had sacked him, I hadn’t, my predecessor had, he had grabbed my shirt, and was shouting, I was just contemplating giving him a Glasgow kiss when several Indonesian lads pounced on him and gave him a bit of a duffing, called security and checked him off the airport, me thinking that was that, a couple of months later I’m wandering around Lippo Mall, who should come walking towards me was the nutter, he comes straight too me and I’m thinking I don’t really want to flatten him in the mall, but to my surprise he greats me like a long lost brother, I’m think he isn’t right in the head, so I’m thinking WK that some sort of approach to this person could be helpful although I don’t know what his problem is, but they certainly are weird