I will only bribe If I get a receipt for the bribe

Oh my.. Immigration again...


Whenever entering and exiting a country, worst part is the immigration counter.


It is well known that bribery is a common thing at immigration counter. I always heard about immigration officers harass people just to get some under table money. Should I say, Under table money is not so suitable word for this environment, 'Above' table money is more adequate.

You won't feel it is subjective unless it becomes your experience.

28 October 2010, one day after Mount Merapi, Indonesia erupted.

Leaving Jakarta after one night stay at Jakarta Airport Hotel.

When I was going to check-in at Singapore Airlines counter, I realised that my departure card was in my passport when I hand in my passport for Visa processing, and it didn't come back with my passport. This spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E. The kind lady told me that I can refill the form and told the officer that I lost the card. This sound easy.

When it is my turn to chop my passport, the officer asked me to wait and he chased after a Korean (which later my friend/colleague told me that he was asking money from the Korean guy). When he came back, innocently I told him I lost my departure card. He asked me try to look for it again, and I look for it in my back, maintaining my coolness. OF course can't find it!

ME: I can't find it. I lost it when I sent my passport for visa.
IO (Immigration Officer) 1 : Have to have the original one, because there is a stamp behind the card.

ME: So how? *thinking maybe he can deport me from the country*

IO 1: I can help you, but with some administration fee.

ME: How much is it?

IO 1: 350 000 rupiah (35 USD)

ME: Will I get a receipt for it? (trying to figure out how much cash rupiah I have)

IO: Receipt??? (Indonesian usually don't understand the word 'Receipt'. I don't know 'Receipt' in Indonesia language. Sign language is 'write the price on a paper'.)

ME: Whom I am paying it to?

IO 1: Me.

ME: ISN'T THAT BRIBERY?!

IO 1: .....

ME: I don't want to give you the money. I would like to meet your boss.

IO 1: Whose boss?

ME: Your boss.

IO 1: My boss is him (IO 2, the officer at the booth beside him)

IO 2 started to asked questions to IO 1, about my boarding time, how long I stay in Indonesia, what kind of visa I have.

ME: I can pay the money but only with receipt.

IO 2: DID I ASKED MONEY FROM YOU? Who is holding your passport now? (Shouting at me..... Almost cry.....)

ME: You are holding my passport. I trust you. (sending off my sweet and charming smile, while trying to be cool....)

IO 2 started to ask questions, and there is another guy who look kinder asked me questions, where did I stay in Indonesia? What is my business there? Kind of calm me down and boost my confidence.

IO 2 even asked where I get my salary from. I told him the truth.

Suddenly he asked me to go the office.............*office* sound scary.......

Half way he asked me wait there, and he went to another lady officer. The lady officer just write something and it is done. IO 2 gave me back my passport, and I praised him, saying he is good and efficient. Finally he gave the smile.....

A near escape..... A big shock.....

If I really went to the office with the officer, I wonder what will happen then...

If it is in Malaysia, and I am a foreigner, maybe the officer will ask me to strip off and make frog jump...

Stripping off is to make sure I don't hide any weapon under my clothes..

Frog jump is to make sure no drug is hidden in my ass.....

Is Indonesia better than Malaysia?

I still can't believe that they dare to ask for bribe with so many people around.....

No wonder, my dad told me that I have to bribe Indonesia Immigration when go through the immigration...

A simple existence with no meaning left no trace after disappearing from the earth.