Most likely there is a failure within the door latch mechanism. Here's a video of how to remove/replace the latch. Note that the VW part number used in that video did not work correctly and would be wrong for a 1997 model anyway.
Here is a video that shows the repair of the internal parts of the latch. It is very likely that yours has a cracked solder joint and can be repaired by re-flowing the solder.
Another POSSIBILITY is that your car has the central locking system from an early UK model car (or ROW car if your car is the UK model). The passenger side door would be functioning as the driver's door. This is just a guess after reading a few things in the 1997 owner's manual:
Quote:
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Central locking in cars with alarm systems "...Both car doors, the levers for unlocking front and rear hood, and filler cap can be centrally unlocked or locked with the remote control or by using the key at the driver's door."
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It specifically says
driver's door only, where on the cars without an alarm system it states that the key may be used in
either door for that function.