Renewing the Licence

Who says that dealing with the police is a pain in the arse? Yesterday, I went to a Polres, a police HQ of some sort, to renew my driver's licence and what I experienced was the exact opposite. No, not 'pleasure in the arse'. Not literally, at least. But I did get a quick and efficient service. Which is a good thing.

The thing was I lost my driver's licence a while back. I filed a report, but the report went missing as well. So I went to the Polres yesterday morning armed only with copies of my ID card. Which was a mistake. The place was packed to the roof. I went to the service counter and the police officer on duty flatly rejected my plea. No missing report, no renewal. I was asked to file a new one at the missing stuff counter. The missing stuff counter officer told me that he couldn't produce a report unless I have the number of my missing driver's licence. So I had to go back to the service counter to get the number and return to the missing stuff counter to file my report. I was beginning to wonder if I would live long enough to obtain my new licence.

It turned out that my brother knows a guy who knows a guy. So I called the first guy explaining that I am my brother's brother and in need of his assistance. The first guy was a police officer working in traffic management. He showed up, took my ID card, and disappeared in the mob. He returned ten minutes later with a missing licence report. He then took me directly to the photo room. It was quite uncomfortable, you know, walking past those people who had been waiting for hours to have their photo taken. I was a sitting duck for countless accusing stares. But I told myself to be strong. This would be over soon. And this is, after all, Indonesia.

The first guy introduced me to the second guy who kindly filled my application for me. The photo room was also cramped with people. However, after only five minutes of waiting, the second guy took over the photo booth and asked me to step in. And voila! My new driver's licence. In less than half an hour. I settled the 'administration affair' with a designated staff. And guess what, it's only 30 grand above the regulation price!!! That's what I call a premium service. Fast and cheap. No need for running from one counter to another, filling several five-mile long applications, and hours of non-airconditioned wait. All you need is a brother who knows a guy who knows a guy.