Dikirim Arief Budiman, dari Geoff and Dorothy Longhurst
September 17th, 2007
Attention Mr Budiarman Bahar. I am writing you with great concern, and a heavy heart, following an incident on September 16th at Denpasser Airport.
My wife and I are very regular visitors to the Island of Bali, and have not been afraid to visit on several occasions since the awful bombing disasters of recent years, we continue to support your Country, both by visiting Bali, and by our other actions, at home in Australia.
On September 16tth, we arrived to enjoy a 12 day holiday, at 3 different Villa’s, in Jeroboam, Seminyak and finally at Jimbarren Bay.
On our arrival, off Jet star JQ37, we proceeded to Immigration, where I was cleared without any problem, however, when my wife Dorothy proceeded, she was advised that as her Passport expired on March 5th, 2008, she only had 5 months an 2 weeks remaining!
We then produced evidence to show we held return Business Class Tickets, for September 28th, and, evidence of our 3 confirmed booking at the Villas above.
Following that we were taken to an Immigration office, where we were “interviewed” by Mr Nanang Yunanto, who suggested that, in order to clear Dorothy, we should pay a special fee. When we asked Mr Yunanto how much this fee was, he led us outside his office and told us US$4000.00.
When we objected strongly, he asked us what we each did for a job, and what was our Income per year and when I told him we were basically retired, he asked for US$2000.
As I was bringing my wife back to Bali to assist in her cancer recovery, I offered him US$500.00 as the “special” fee; however, he said this was an insult.
I then pleaded with him to allow Dorothy to stay, I told him of her cancer struggle, however, he just walked away, and refused to discuss it any further, simply shouting, “go back where you come from” and ordered that we be sent back on the next ‘plane. He took offence at me as I asked for his name, and he refused to give it to me, however, several of the younger customs and Immigration Staff were happy to give me his name, as they claim he regularly behaves this way, and asks for Bribes. They told me he was an embarrassment to the Balinese people with his behaviour. It was only because of them that we learnt his name.
My Wife and I will be happy to return, at our own cost, to act as witnesses should you wish to take the appropriate action against this person and show that your Country is no longer dependant on the people that act this way.
I do not wish to harm the fantastic Balinese people, but, if necessary, I will go to any lengths to expose this behaviour, and warn people about the odd bad person in the system.
Kind Regards,
Geoff and Dorothy Longhurst
hii semua, salam kenal ya…
aku dari Surabaya, kelihatannnya asyik kumpul2nya
Drs Nanang Yunanto is actually a very nice person. The behaviour of Mr Geoff should be checked too. What tone did he talk in? Furthermore, after claiming to have been in Bali so many times, how comes he does not know the immigration rules on passport validity?
to Daniel George. I didnt know what this Nanang guy did to you until you stand by his side. and what is this Nanang guy right to asked them for Bribe $4000 because Mrs. Geoff’s passport expiration date less than 6 months. its totally not right.
bring Nanang to court!!!! this is really makes Bali looks bad in the tourism world..
To nuba: see. you are right. Post ANYTHING, right or wrong on the internet and it is taken for the “truth”. Very sad. Very sad too that that would hurt the Balinese.
I dont actually believe it does.
Yes, take BOTH of them to court and proof a case, and only THEN after take steps… that is how it should be. Now Mr. Nanang lost his job over an internet accusation without fair trial. Althoug there is some serious doubts as to the complete accuracy of events to Geoff’s side of the story-
I got to know Mr. Drs. Nanang as a completelty nice, CALM person who alwalys goes by the books. There must be actions by Mr. Geoff that triggered the events, and obviously emotions. I am sure of that!
Furthermore; Geoff should just have gone by the books “as a friend of Indonesia” (uncovering corruption) and return to his country.
However, he admitted to offer a USD 500.- BRIBE to bypass/bend the law which doesn’t make him (or ALL Australians?) look very integer too… (a clear and ILLEGAL intent to bribe) …and if it were accepted (if true) we most likely would never have heard of the dispute.
Maybe Nanang just did not want to accept the USD 500.- bride and said: go home. Actually he could have (and maybe should have) arrested Geoff for intent to bribe an Indonesian Government Offical, to ilegally enter the country…
So the (not proofen yes) tale goes: one asks 5000 and the other only wants to give 500. Question remains: how did Geoff finally enter that day into Bali????????? And if not, is he just frustrated that his USD 500.- bride was not accepted????
Sorry, nuba, but TRUE.
Would be nice to see Mr. Geoff Longhurst’s comments too.
For example, is it actually TRUE that you have been here so many times? If yes, please note that you always flew to Denpasar and not Denpasser Airport.
– Can you please give more detailed data on this?
– We heard in lenght what Mr. Nanang said. What did you say?
– How was the “climate” of the discussion?
– Why did you find it proper to offer a bribe USD 500.-?
– What is in your opinion the difference between a bribe of USD 5000.- and a bribe of USD 500.-?
– Who were the very “helpful” junior Balinese Immigration officers
(note: 100% of the officers at Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar, Bali, are INDONESIAN IMIGRATION Officers with about 15% among them from the Province of Bali).
– Have you taken action against the Airline you flew because the let you on board despite insufficient passport requirnment.
– Have you reported the said Airline to your own country’s Government?
– Your posotive actions in Australia in regard to INDONESIA and Bali are appreciated. Could you, for the interest of readers, provide more details on your work?
– your letter shows, that you very dispointed that clear and long standing Imigrations Rules were not bent for you. You claim that your interest is to see Indonesia beeing rid of such people (the accused) while finding it obviously normal to intend to bribe your way into the country and expecting exceptions for yourselve. What is your comment on this?
Best regards;
Daniel George
Singapore