A long time ago, I was in Indonesia to accept an invitation from an Indonesian business partner. My visit was for the second time (where 2 years before I was there)
Despite of whatever people were saying that 'things haven’t changed much', I still have the confidence that there have been changes.
Thus, I got into a 'little trouble' with the authorities due to my lack of understanding how to 'settle problems' despite I’ve been there before.
Out of nowhere, a group of good Indonesian Samaritans emerged to the 'rescue'. I could not have done anything without their help. I gave them some money in appreciation to their assistance but they denied it by saying:
"Kami tolong bukan kerana uang Pak - kita ini serumpun"
(We're not helping because of money Sir, it's because we are of the allied nation (from the same root)"
I was touched...Not all are Malays or Muslims - they are all of diverse-races and religions.
In the early 90s, I was hired as HRM for a national project, I noticed Indonesian foreign workers (skilled) were having 'problems' and 'limitations' due to strict conditions imposed by the *sub-contractor hiring them. *(labour-supply supplier/sub-contractor)
Their passports being withheld by respective agencies or the sub-contractor (fear of the foreign workers might run away and I don't blame the contractors), the levy (has to be paid by the workers - monthly deducted from their wages) and income tax rebates/EPF/Socso (if any and wherever applicable) belongs to the employer once they decide to return home (with exceptional to nett-salary - which they get to keep (minimal amount) and the travel documents will be returned to them) - and some 'people' were imposing 'extra charges' per head per month. But what touched my heart most was 'their living conditions" - the so-called 'labour quarters' and some 'inhumane' treatments (which I rather not say)
After serious discussions with the Client and the Main JV Contractors, we decided to take over the foreign workers to be directly under our payroll and the employers (majority : Japanese) have unanimously agreed that I would be in charge of the Indonesians foreign workers welfare. We have paid a hefty sum to compensate the losses of the previous employer. From there things started to change. But there were still old 'habits' where the Indonesians thought that I am the 'new 'tyco' (local colloquial - nearest translation - like some sort of a godfather - LOL) and that they have to pay 'a certain amount of fees' - I denied their gifts of course which have left them baffled. (personal note : Not all Indonesians workers are Muslims, there are Christians and Buddhists as well)
Some still asked "You mean Mr Nik, that all this money we get to keep?". I chuckled and told them 'YES'.
They were still in awe when they get 'hefty' annual bonus (few months) and the levy were borned by the employer and not them, there were no more 'unscrupulous' people to charge them 'per head taxes', no more gangsters coming after them, their past loans were paid fully, their family have moved to better labour quarters - not a single cent need to be paid for rent etc. etc.
In short, they were FREE. (they get to keep their travel documents, passports (of course - an agreement needed to be signed first, they were never left behind in trainings - in fact, they received certificates of trainings)
So to cut the the story short, when the project was about to be completed, we gave them a handsome compensation, I personally handled their income tax rebates - all returned to them, immigration matters, they get to keep their final salary, I (on behalf of the company) even bought the air-tickets for them.
I got to meet almost all of them for the last time in a small farewell gathering together with their families before they left - returning to Indonesia. They all asked me the same questions :
"Abang Nik, kenapa Abang Nik begitu baik dengan kami? Kami tidak beri apa-apa wang pun" (Bro Nik, why are you so kind to us? We didn't give you any money.)
I replied :
"Saya tolong bukan kerana uang - bukankah kita ini serumpun?"
(I am not helping because of money, ain't we all from an 'allied nation' (from the same root)"
They were shocked and there was a moment of 'suspended animation' (silence)
Then I told them my little story - it was a teary drama and everyone prayed for my good health and prosperity.
The moral of the story is :
"It's easy to turn a blind eye on people we do not know - but be nice to visitors - trust me, somehow you will get the same treatment when your turn comes in and you have to be a visitor to them"
