Ever experinced in a disaster Riots/Demonstration??

Hi Iriene,

I am referring to the riots that happened in Indonesia in 1997.....very long story,but always in my mind.

It is the scariest thing that ever happened in my country.
The time where my family ran away to Malaysia, that was in 1997, people were killing human beings, raping,torturing people and after that burning them.

I even watched one of the video recorded by SOMEONE,borrowed from my father's friend. It was happened in a small town, 3-4 hours drive from my hometown. It looks scary. Shops are being attacked,the whole town looks like a ghost town, fire is everywhere.

Scary moments to remember!!

Dear Shia,

Oh yes..I remembered that incident in Indonesia.
That was very scary. We read that in the newspaper
everyday. Read the testimonies in the internet via
emails too. Many Indonesian Chinese were killed at
that time. I think it drag to more than a month?
I heard cases where the victims are locked from
outside are burnt to death..

Ooh, that 1997 incidents .
I thought you are a Malaysian. Now only
I know you are an Indonesian-Chinese. Have
you applied for Malaysian Permanent Resident?

I remembered that incident because the company
I was working at that time has a branch office
in Jakarta. One Malaysian who was married to
an Indonesian Chinese was an expatriate there.
Due to the incident, he brought his wife and
in laws back to Malaysia. They relate what
actually happens there. Our branch office has
to be closed temporary at that time. It was
really a 'dark history' and bad memories for many.

Thank God your families managed to escaped to Penang!

Hi Cwong,

Indonesia riots is more terrible than the Malaysia one. They even raped the Chinese ladies,it really happened in Jakarta.

I was not at my hometown when it happened in 1997. I was in Singapore. Actually I a not aware of the riots as I seldom read and watch tv news.
One night, I called back home to ask my father check on my air ticket. Then only I knew that my hometown is having a demonstration. All offices are closed for few days.

A few days later, I got a call from my dad that my whole family is leaving to Penang,the nearest country to my hometown.Luckily, my dad managed to get an air ticket for my whole family members. they were away for about 10 days.

Oh...you used to be an immigration consultant.That is great job.
My advice is always standby your passport,make sure it is valid at least 6 months before the expired date. SO whenever you need to travel out urgently, just book a ticket and Go!!

shia.. yup, I saw those news reporting about Indonesia back then.. and it's really scary.. some of my friends too went away with their family during that period of time..

and I agree with you, we must get our passports ready all the time.. and in a place where we are able to reach easily.. I had once a friend who lock his passport in a safe, and at time when he is suppose to leave for an urgent meeting, he couldn't get his passport as the combination was not right.. we were as anxious as him in order to get the correct combination, and luckily the wife return and got it for him..

here in Malaysia.. a book of passport cost RM300 for a 5 year period.. not cheap though..

Dear cwong77,

I heard the good news that the Malaysian passport
fees is reduced to RM100 already. It is the time
to renew our passport at this reasonable price.
Mine just got renewed last year. It is true, we
should make sure the validity of our passport at
all times!

JamesKYTan, is that true? If this is true than, it's a good news ever! I have also renews my passport last year April, and what I can say is the service standards do has lots of improvements.

I think if the price is revised, then I will do the passport for my baby, and I be travelling overseas!

Hi Ann,

It is a blessed that you lived in a steady town.No riots and everything go smoothly.

Now my country is back to normal...everything is fine. No more demonstration and I hope it will remains the same in future.
I can't have a peaceful life when there is a demonstration.Everyday is a scary day.