Comments posted regarding this issue in another Indonesian English speaking newspaper is more sympathetic toward the Indonesian workers point of view...Nonetheless, will Indians in general resort to some kind of introspection to mend their ways and start learning how to earn respect through mutual co-existence and cooperation? The earlier they learn the better they are prepared for themselves. On the other hand the emotional fiasco caused by the Indonesian workers is nothing to be proud of for this country's image that has brought calamity for everyone involved at the port. And there are also the ongoing insults by the foreigner in question in the past by allowing his true color of superiority which is in fact not a good sign of doing business. Besides the tragedy in Batam; there is nothing new regarding the negative interpretation that have popped up among professionals in the work places in Jakarta involving some Indian nationals working with Indonesians and Western expats. There is indeed a cultural learning to be done, to be understood and to be respected on both sides. in the last paragraph of this article the Joint war Committee of the London organization based assessment maritime risk has said that the Indonesian maritime region may poses a risk...this is an unfortunate fiasco that has nothing to do with piracy. This is a national tragedy that has to do with a cultural clash and a disrespectful behavior in the work place. Take a look of what has happened in Australia and other parts of the world...A cultural clash or racial intimidation where ever it may be...Nevertheless, rudeness is rudeness no matter what color of your skin or nationality you may be.

I wonder all this is politically motivated. Whether these words ".....stupid "were actually uttered or not. Few months ago there was another controversy. When Malaysians were attacked for the comments about Batik shirts and apparels being not Indonesian. Here again the words were misquoted to trigger trouble.

"To keep them in control was not difficult. A few agents of the Thought Police moved always among them, spreading false rumours and marking down and eliminating the few individuals who were judged capable of becoming dangerous; but no attempt was made to indoctrinate them with the ideology of the Party. It was not desirable that the proles should have strong political feelings. All that was required of them was a primitive patriotism which could be appealed to whenever it was necessary to make them accept longer working-hours or shorter rations. And even when they became discontented, as they sometimes did, their discontent led nowhere, because being without general ideas, they could only focus it on petty specific grievances. The larger evils invariably escaped their notice." George Orwell, 1984.

ChrisH - I am an Indonesian Chris, and I can assure you that I would react negatively too upon hearing those words.

But then, I won't do anything destructive..maybe an exchange of swear words or even a resignation letter, but never monkey acts.

I am currently working in a multinational environment. I know how rude some culture can be toward others. But if they use 'defending national pride' as an excuse, they really need to think clearly before acting.

To be honest..I am embarrassed being an Indonesian sometimes. Although..I can be very proud (like when reading JG's My Jakarta articles). Ah well..win some lose some I guess...

well at least now foreign worker will know indonesian people can be quite chaotic when it come to national pride.