What makes Indonesians still living in the country if the country is so bad?
Rod Pallister
UK based Ph.D. and Masters student coach. Dissertation and thesis writer. Ph.D. & Masters Helpline. Assignment, term paper and coursework writer.
I am struggling to understand this question. If the country (Indonesia) is so bad… compared to what? Also, if it’s so bad, why are so many foreigners either visiting here or choosing (like me) to live here?
Okay, let’s step back and compare Indonesia with other so-called better countries.
How about the US? Has anybody checked the news recently?
- Economy: Rupiah has been rising against the $US over the last 2 months and seems set to continue.
- % GDP: Indonesia average 5%+ over 15 years (see Dann Belamy’s answer below). US around 3% and falling.
- Crime: The Homicide (killing) rate in Indonesia is approximately only 10% of the US.
- Politics: Compare popularity… Trump and Jokowi, the Indonesian president is the overwhelming winner. Need we go on?
How about the UK?
- Economy: Struggling at around 1–2% GDP, and…
- Income: Middle class disposable income in decline.
- Brexit: Chaos…
- Politics: Prime Minister May likely to resign. Need we go on?
Okay, there are some countries which are great places to live, but seriously, most of my Indonesian students who have gone, or are going to study overseas, all plan to come back here after their studies. I have lived and worked in England, Scotland, Wales, Mexico, Greece, China, South Africa, Germany and Spain… but having lived in Indonesia for 17 years it ranks way above those countries. Okay, I’m biased because my wife is Indonesian, but… to assume Indonesia is bad? Really? Check out Rod Pallister's answer to As an Indonesian, what do you want the rest of the world to know about your country?
After 17 years, I have observed many changes here in this beautiful country… but there are very few places anywhere where you can…
One: Drink coffee in a warung (small shop) for Rp2000 (US15c)
Two: Borrow some sugar from a neighbor at 5am.
Three: Ask a BCA customer service lady to fix a problem with your new phone… (took 1 hour).
Four: Ask someone for help after the car breaks down and they drive you 15 kilometers to your home and refuse any money.
Five: Your kid is sick and his teacher brings him home.
Six: At Idul Fitri, neighbors invite you to eat delicious (enak) food in their home.
Seven: Go out (jalan jalan) on your bike (motor) and almost get killed… a quick smile and an apology and he’s gone.
Eight: Swop phone numbers with 10 new friends while having a haircut.
Nine: A kid’s parent waits outside the classroom and invites you and your family to an amazing dinner.
Ten: Talk to a homeless woman underneath a flyover and she remembers you 5 years later.
The point I’m trying to make is that Indonesia is unique and a very special place to live. Whereas overseas, every day is often the same… yet here, leaving your home in the morning is like an adventure into the unknown… I’ve never been bored in 17 years.
Does Indonesia have it’s problems? Of course. Yet the country has come a long way relatively quickly, and the student of today can expect an exciting tomorrow.
We are asked what makes Indonesians live here (paraphrased). I would suggest that most Indonesians want to live here because quite simply… it’s their home. This unpredictable and crazy country is what makes Indonesia so special… it’s why many foreigners come to visit and stay. There’s a magic about Indonesia and Indonesians which is hard to explain… Muslim or Christian, rich or poor, straight or bencong… Who cares… we are all lucky… we are all blessed to live here… we are all brothers and sisters sharing in the new Indonesia. If Indonesia became a so-called developed country then it could be considered bad. But it’s not… it’s a work-in-progress which began in 1945, and hopefully Indonesians will never give up what makes them so special. [email protected]
Empowering students and crafting stories.
6 年What a great article. Thanks Mr Pallister, you make me fall in love again with this old land.
Civil Engineer, Hydraulic Structures and Hydro-Electric Power Development
6 年Hi Rod. Try to put yourself not as an expat living in Indonesia. As an expat / "bule" you have the previlege on how the locals behave towards you. Yes the people are freindly and yes the have great culture. But in terms of life quality, I do not think it is comparable to, for example UK. Most Indonesian doesnt have access to piped (drinking water quality) water and wastewater system. This is like living in middle ages. Yes they have highrise buildings soaring in numbers, or some minorities (in terms of their income - not the ethnicity) drive with Porsches, Ferarris, Bentleys (you name it) on narrow streets although they could only drive less than 20-30 kmh in monthly average.? The facts, if you live your life like those who earns less than 20-50 quids a day (this is 90-percentilish of work forces), I dont think they will have the same perception with you at all. Rember, some number of people living in rurals still earn not more than 5 quids a day.? In case, indonesian national health system (BPJS) still stucks on the first gear. No matter what, UK's NHS (whatever Boris Johnson had said about its quality) is - in my point of view - way much better than the Indonesian one. When it comes to inflation, we'll see, how much you earn on your pension after 30-40 years more working. If you cite about 5-summat % economic growth, I think this is a ll normal. Not all households have fridges, cell-phones, motorcycles etc. in 5 - 10 years ago. When these stuffs been bought, the automatically it added the proportion of the macro-economic growth. These phases (people buying fridges, TVs, cell phones etc) had been long time ago passed in industrial countries. Moreover, please refer the fact that indonesian sells eg. coals, gasses, palm oils etc. those are not renewables. One day those will be gone (except palm oil, the forrests and orang utans will be gone).? I ve been living in Indonesia, UK, Germany, middle east country and brief in US, and I know exactly what I am talking about.?About Brexit ... well, people in referendum wanted "hard brexit", I dont know why Theresa May tried to deliver her Brexit Plan at all.??
Operation & Project Officer at Otego Media | Civil Engineer
6 年I stumble upon your article in some jokes group in Facebook, looks like some people copy paste these to other platforms. Because I was so interested I googled your name and here I was. Superb writing prof! Loving every detail. Yes, I have a dream to go overseas someday, not to moving there permanently, but to act as Indonesian engineer who helps other country in needs. (There is a state-owned constructions company, which I really wanted to be part of, that has various projects in Africa, Southeast Asia and Middle East.)
M&A Advisor; bantu pengusaha Indonesia divestasi perusahaannya dan mencari Strategic Partner international.
6 年Usually people dont realize what they have until its gone. Those who have experienced living outside Indonesia know what they miss. What makes you home sick. The song "Tanah Air" by Ibu Sud says it all. Listening it always gives me goosebump. Here it is https://youtu.be/fmaiyhwEv90
Japanese Interpreter
6 年Thank you. Will definitely try to live overseas for years first, just to come back and see those magics :')