I think I owe this note to the Government of Singapore. The law and every facet of life is so in order and runs excellently. Records of crime are low. The country is super clean. All people who stay in Singapore are really blessed.
Last December 8, 2010 I visited Singapore to deliver a laptop for my youngest daughter who has received scholarships and pursues her study in the Republic of Singapore.
Due to too many baggages that I carried, when I took out everything from the trunk, I forgot and left the laptop in its black bag at that taxi's back seat which coincidentally the cushion is in black color.
It was 1 am when I realized about that. I did not ask for the receipt from the taxi driver. So, what else could I do? To make the matter even worse, I have very little image of what the taxi looked like. I nearly cried and was at a complete loss. I have not even paid full for the laptop as it was still in its first installment. I called Indonesia and informed home about this tragedy.
I tried to go to the front gate and talked to the security guard. At condo, they have CCTV that eyed every visitors in and out of the premises. The guard tried to play back the time about my arrival. From here, it is really very lucky that I found out the taxi company is CITY CAB. and noted down the licence number.
I, then, tried to call Citycab at 65521111 and reported the case. At first they could not locate the driver. After a while, I tried to call CityCab again and re-reported again and I was then given a number for the reporting case.
Not much later, the taxi driver called my mobile and informed that he would take about an hour to return the laptop and drive to where I stayed. ( I supposed he must have gone home or to the centre that was quite a distance from my place). That was about the longest waiting hour I have in life. But, in my heart, I am really grateful because this happens in Singapore and NOT in my country, INDONESIA. This is so sad to say. If this incident took place in INDONESIA, I could kiss the laptop goodbye... sayonara forever already.
It was as the driver has said, he came back with my laptop and did not even ask for 'taxi fee' that I should and must pay for. But, I pay it anyway. This is a really super 'treatment' that I get from the CITY cab and their staff. The Government of Singapore should be given the whole merits for being able to run the country so well. everything is in good order.
I do hope I could see this kind of great things happening in INDONESIA whilst I am still alive. We, INDONESIANs, should learn so much from the Republic of Singapore regarding laws and governing people of many different ethnics.
Why do I have to put this note in my blog? Because I have very bad experience in Medan, where I lived in Indonesia. There are so many criminals. When you go out of your doorstep, you should take great care of your belongings (even if your belongings are not valuable). Because, even trashbins in front of your house would be stolen. Once I was robbed in the midday just in front of BCA (a well known bank) and about 20 meters away there was a guard post. I was pretty sure that there were so many passersby and the guard should be able to see from the mirror, if the guard was doing his duty well. I was so stupid that I did not realize I could get robbed in the middle of a crowded street. (although it was not that crowded at that time, as it was nearly closing time of bank; ie 3pm). I was banged onto my left hand and I, with reflex, held on tight to my bag. The lace was cut. I was pulling it from the robber and suddenly he took out a very sharp knife, that made me once again, with reflex, loosened my grab. He pushed himself towards me. He murmured something that I did not understand. His eyes are red (probably because of drugs or alcohols). I stepped backwards. He advanced and I pulled backwards further until I reached the gate. He, then, suddenly jumped onto a motorbike rode by his friend and flew off.
After the robber has left, I noticed there were a couple passersby around looking and passing me by. I quickly entered the bank and reported the incident and arranged to close my account straightaway. After feeling safe, I comprehended that the robber was actually murmuring for my mobile which was still on my hand. I was looking at texts whilst on my way to the bank.
That was for me.
There were so many other unspoken incidents in the bus interchange where robbers operate. Most of my house-maids have experienced being picpocketed and robbed.
My own daughter who did not make call in the house and once, using her mobile talked in front of the house, which is in a small closed alley. A gangster came in with his motorbike and robbed her mobile away. There were so much fuss with the motorbike sound that he made.
Another incident, a man claimed to be from the government knocked on my door and my silly daughter opened. He budged in without permission and asked for donation for the 17 August independence celebration. I objected as there was no official note of legitimate government and he was actually not looking at my eyes whilst answering. It was another stupid thing I made that I did not notice he was actually grabbing something from behind his body. Another mobile was lost.
So, that is how the situation of day-to-day life in Indonesia. We, INDONESIANs, happen to live it that way. Always living in anxiety. It is the feeling that Singaporeans do not have and it is the privilege of Indonesians only. Irony?
Although it is my country. my privilege. I still wonder when the security will get better? when the Governmental officers do their tasks accordingly? when are we going to have a clean government? when are we going to be transformed into citizens that love their country? when can we be proud of our country? when ..... when ..... when.... so many WHENs.......
There was a song/term in Indonesian saying: tanyalah kepada rumput yang bergoyang. (ask the swaying grass).
Lucia
mobile: 081165 2431 Indonesia
8122 9363 Singapore
