'Money launderer'

Whose debt struck a chord. When based in Jakarta in 1964 the local economy was chaotic. Costs soared, inflation was a riot. I began asking Head Office to increase local staff’s pay but I found I would have to do that every week. I doubted that Head Office would agree to repeated increases in salaries so that staff could afford rice.

So I told Head Office I was going to add £5 a week to my expenses. I would then change those pounds for rupiahs on the black market and that way the boys could keep abreast of the rising rice prices. I think I was regarded as Indonesia’s money launderer. ■