It was a business trip to Matak on the 17th May 2005. In order to get to Matak Island, you will first need approval from Conoco-Phillips Indonesia (COPI) in order to set your foot on the island. They are the biggest oil & gas company in Indonesia with their most promising oil fields just off-shore of Matak and Natuna islands. In case you are wondering where is this place, its those tiny little islands right in between the East & West Malaysia which you normally see when flying across the South China Seas. The company I worked for is a contractor for COPI, and I was sent to Matak for an important tracking mobilization for their supply boats there. On that morning, right about 6am, we were already there at the Halim Airport in Jakarta to board COPI’s chartered flight to Matak for crew change. The flight itself was dead boring, but look at the view outside the plane – it’s breath-taking!
And the food served onboard is just superb! My guess is that COPI must have used their own catering services to accomodate the expected quality of services which their high-paying staffs are used to. Anyway, as the plane starts decending in to the Matak Airstrip, I was already starting to enjoy myself on the sight of the beautiful islands surrounding the place. Once got out of the plane, I was shaken from the daze because people are starting to rush around to quickly get things done. I know I have a job to do, and this is my once-in-a-lifetime chance of ever possible reaching to these corporate-protected islands. Only managed to take a few pictures as we all rush around to find the first boat to perform installation.
First thing that were told to do was to check-in to our quaters and be on stand-by. The quaters are of good normal standards (e.g. warm shower, air-conditioned) and their camp services (e.g. laundry cleaning, canteen) are great. I was starting to feel a little too pampered by all these good & free services which COPI gives its staffs.
Anyway, as days progresses, we finally got the job done and were able to take a few more pictures of the peaceful Matak island.
Then on the last day, when the realization of having to leave the island dawned on us, it was very sad to say the least. The place was a peaceful haven (e.g. no cars, forest all around, far from civilization), and will obviously be deprived from all of these once we get back to the real world.
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I would just like to say that I find story about rushing to get things done in Matak to be a little far-fetched. I have recently spent time in Matak and Jakarta and I have never seen an Indonesian get in a hurry to do a damn thing except eat. They are the slowest and most worthless people I have ever met. I only have respect for massage “therapist” who helped me forget about the rest of the retarded country.
I couldn’t disagree with Justin more. Typical response from an ignorant western oilfield hand. I live in Bali and work for a drilling contractor soon to move our rig to work for Conoco offshore Natuna. Southeast Asian in general put on the act of slow and worthless to people that act and believe themselves to be superior. Think yourself superior and they will show you how little help you will get from them. These people are capable and will work circles around any crew of fellow country men from the USA that I had the displeasure of working with a couple of years ago back in the US. All I do is treat the Indos with a little respect and work them using thier own cultural hiarchy as a supervisory standard and they perform beautifully. These people are clever, crafty and industrius. If the only positive experience you got out of your trip was sexual tourism Justin, you missed out big time.
Jakarta is the armpit of Indonesia and only offers a minute portion of what Indonesia has to offer as a whole. Thanks for your review Jackson and identifying Matak as yet another Indonesian jewel. Try Bali if you get a chance. Many foriegners that do figure out ways to return to Bali more or even move there for good as I did.
I agree with David’s post, and was embarassed to read the post from Justin. I spent about 3 years working in the Persian Gulf (land and offshore), and we had a group of Indonesians come to help in Saudi. The rude, arrogant guys wouldn’t get a lick of work out of the Indonesian guys. But respectful, polite guys (a group I’d like to think I belong to) would get a fabulous job done by the Indos. It was a pleasure working with them, and to see just how innovative and clever those guys are, especially in the middle of the desert.
just read this site, coz I was looking more informations about this island that my germany friend talked about. he said this island is as jewel as david said, so beautiful..
and as indonesian it’s kinda slap on my face discoverin dat justin thought we’re not capable of doing anything but eating. try 2 talk 2 me, i’ll let u see we’re more clever than u think. & thanks to david and adam for seeing us in different ways. pls justin u’ve seen only 2 places of our country, dig more u’ll find out we have more than 30.000 beautiful islands, with ofcouse beautiful people if u know how to treat us well.
for matak, wait for me..i’m coming..
as an Indonesian i feel a little itchy when i read what justin post. As one of COPI service company, our company worker is come from many different countries.
From US, UK, Australia, hongkong, japan and mostly from indonesia. But all of our technical expert team that is the brain of our company is indonesian. We decide what operation must do, and allmost all the expatriates works only in the operation field that follow our instruction. I don’t have attention to becoming arrogant but please do not condescend us.
this month i will go to matak and give training for COPI employee, and will see the heaven as Jackson described.
Conoco Philips Matak Base sangat berkesan, kebetulan saya pernah tinggal beberapa bulan disana, walaupun setiap 3 ( Tiga ) Minggu sekali mesti pulang ke Jakarta. Saya sangat berkesan tinggal di Conoco philips Matak Base.
Aku punya juga beberapa Foto waktu tinggal di COPI Matak Base. Please call : 08121992642
I’m David’s sister, Pam, and I accidentally found this site when researching where he’s working. I have visited Indonesia several times. I love the country, culture and people of Indonesia and am proud to have a sister-in-law and stepmom who are native Indonesians. Wish I could live and work there.