These posts are wrong on so many levels I suspect I can't be of any more help;. If you believe as you say that these lovely people are "out to get you" because you are a foreigner then that's your take on reality and has nothing to do with mine, nothing. If you believe that in the west no one is treated similarly (or, god forbid, worse) then one can only wonder why you've chosen to abandon that Nirvana for the "wild east" and wish you a speedy return. Don't let the door hit in the ass.
My experience is thta the Banjar is out to get you, if they can squeeze any money from you they will do so.
Recent examples from last twelve months:
- Friend has known banjar in area for years. Built a villa on the understanding that banjar would build better access to his plot and others to be constructed. Much shaking of hands. As soon as villa nearing construction he’s told he must pay $10k for a ‘road’ and access. What happened to the promises? ‘Oh ha ha ha ‘pak, sorry now you must pay, ha, ha ,ha’.
- Sanur, I know someone that owns a cafe. Again, known banjar guys for years. He tried his best to support staff during covid. Didn’t take a salary out for three years and has just started making better money again . Had a visit in Jan from three reps from banjar - outcome they want 3jt a month. Okay. Oh but we want it backdated 2 years. Two of his staff are tight with Banjar and obviously had given them financial info. Was able to negotiate it down. Has literally had banjar in his cafe every month for a coffee for years and they never mentioned any payments required.
- In my street; trying to rip off people for a 500k a month donation. My wife is Indonesian and said ‘this is our house not a business’ so they immediately backed down, we pay 100k as it is a family home. Others have been paying the 500k for a while until it came up in discussion, when challenged Banjar changed to 100k as these are homes, not businesses. Refund the money? ‘Oh ha ha ha sorry cannot ha ha ha’.
- friend has just won in court (amazingly) for access to a villa complex she built. Banjar extortion after the villas were constructed. All good until near the opening date and suddenly needs to pay some crazy sum for 10 years access. They lost. She is now too scared to visit her own properties.
- My business: friendly with local Head. Been for coffee with him. Checked numerous times ‘all okay with us, no problems?’ Always a positive answer back. Banjar summoned my Balinese manager to a meeting. Apparently ‘angry’ we have broken some rules by having events and not paying for pecalang security. We must now pay 3jt a month. What events? Can you define an event? Our ‘events’ are attended by same number of normal guests. We want to abide by all rules: so can we have in writing please?
Two days later a police/customs raid. This banjar guy has had coffee with me, discussed family, yet doesn’t have the courage to tell me he is unhappy or most likely he just has seen an opportunity to make some cash. We can’t prove it but sure he is cahoots with staff: they probably split some of the ‘fines’ and ongoing regular payments. More fool them: they were on great contracts: service, BPJS, holiday pay…the works. Just have not extended the contracts and are replacing with staff from Java.
I can think of more examples. Greedy, corrupt, cowardly, two faced: will rip you off and then smile at you next day.