Confrontation was in the early 60's prior to Vietnam. The SAS picked up a lot of jungle skills there before being deployed later into Vietnam. The fight with Indonesia was never really won but finished when the coup against Sukarno allowed pro-western Suharto to come to power. The only way the SAS and others were able to get the upper hand was by making secret and illegal incursions over the border into Indonesia and attacking the Indonesian bases. Any foreigner who feels treated as a second rate citizen in Indonesia probably has been acting as one. I have seen many Australians attracting attention to themselves by being loud or obnoxious in some way and I always steered clear of them. Indonesians are generally more restrained, and as we do here, prefer foreigners who blend in rather than stand out. As for the car accident, it is all a matter of capacity to pay. If you are perceived to be wealthy, then it is going to be your fault whether you are a foreigner, Indonesian Chinese or a wealthy Indonesian. Foreigners are probably easier to bluff as they generally have poor language skills, but I have seen foreigners turn the tables through being able to speak fluently and taking the initative in placing the blame. In all cases it is expected that the more wealthy will pay something, but how much depends on your negotiating skills. If an offer is made quickly it will take the heat out of the situation and then it becomes a negotiation, and a good negotiator will be given respect as long as there is some contribution made. There is no doubt that the system is corrupt, but in many ways corruption brings some order to the system and can streamline doing business, plus everybody knows what the rules are so they are taken into account. One thing about Indonesia unlike many other corrupt countries, most of the money stayed in Indonesia as everybody knew that was where the opportunities were to invest and make even more money. Look at Suharto, supposedly sent billions overseas, which they have never found, and I don't believe were ever sent out. Neither he or any of his family have left Indonesia, they are quite content to stay put and have the money work for them in Indonesia. The country as a whole only really suffers from curruption if the money is sent out.
