In Reply to: Well posted by nasipadang on Tuesday, 29. November 2011 at 08:35 Bali Time:
... its like when you get stopped for a traffic offence. I was stopped for running a red light i didnt see. The police started off requesting 800,000rp... i paid 20,000rp.
I know its not a comparible crime, but at the end of the day - if the child goes to prision the cop gets nothing. If you pay them $1000 or $5000 they are suddenly very wealthy. Of course they ask for a rediculous amount initially. Some people pay, some dont.
If it were my kid...i'd be over there speaking to the police with a lawyer, and the australian consulate. Its not a given that they would put someone in Hotel K for assault. Given the circumstances i would be happy for a teenage son of mine to spend a night or 2 in a cell while i sort this out. (A police cell, not kerobokan).
As for paying the hospital expences, i'd be demanding the person uses their travel insurance, BUT if they had none, i would offer to pay - direct to the hospital, and to be given a receipt.
I dont blame her for doing this if she thought it was her only option, however, i do think she has been very very naive.