AUSTRALIA TRAVEL WARNING: IndonesiaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT29 June 2005 Indonesia
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information on safety and security. The overall level of the advice has not changed. Australians are advised to defer non-essential travel to Indonesia. Australians in Indonesia who are concerned for their safety should consider departing. Australians who consider their presence in Indonesia to be essential should exercise extreme caution. The recommendation that Australians defer non-essential travel applies to Indonesia as a whole, including Bali. The bomb attack outside the Australian Embassy on 9 September 2004 underscores that the threat to Australians in Indonesia is real. We continue to receive a stream of credible reporting suggesting that terrorists are in the very advanced stages of planning attacks in Indonesia. Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and could be directed at any locations known to be frequented by foreigners. Recent credible reporting suggests that international hotels frequented by Westerners in Jakarta are being targeted in current terrorist planning. Public statements by the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) that security has been increased at a number of Jakarta hotels due to the potential for terrorist attack underline that international hotels are a target. This follows a POLRI warning of May 2005 about possible further suicide bombings in Jakarta, identifying as potential targets other places frequented by foreigners, in particular embassies, international schools, office buildings and shopping malls. Australians are advised to avoid all travel to Aceh and Maluku province, particularly Ambon. Australians in Aceh and Maluku should depart. We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against foreigners involved in the tsunami relief effort in Aceh and other parts of northern Sumatra. In view of these security concerns Australians should not travel to Banda Aceh or other parts of Aceh to participate in humanitarian relief efforts unless under the auspices of a recognised aid organisation that has facilities in place to accommodate and feed staff and a security plan approved by Indonesian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its personnel. From 26 March 2005 all foreigners wishing to travel to Aceh require written permission to do so prior to entry. In view of the terrorist threat information, Australians in northern Sumatra should ensure they have a robust security plan in place. We advise Australians not associated with recognised aid organisations and who are not covered by an approved security plan to depart in the interests of their own safety. All Australians in Sumatra and Aceh should register with the Australian Embassy via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on-line registration service. Some coastal areas of Indonesia were hit by a large tsunami on 26 December 2004 resulting in widespread flooding and damage. In March 2005 parts of the Nias and Simeulue Islands were severely damaged by a large earthquake. While basic services are now operating across this region, it will be some time before adequate facilities are in place to service casual travellers. Australians should continue to avoid all travel to the west coast of Northern Sumatra, including Aceh Province and offshore islands. We advise Australians to read carefully the sections below on travel to Aceh, Kalimantan, Maluku and North Maluku, Papua, Sulawesi and West Timor, where additional security risks exist. There remains a potential risk to foreigners of kidnapping in areas close to the Philippines, such as the outlying islands of North Sulawesi, and the border regions of Kalimantan. The Australian Embassy compound remains closed to the public as a result of the 9 September 2004 attack. Consular services are continuing to be provided by appointment. Consular inquiries should be directed to +62 21 2550 5500. Australians requiring emergency consular assistance can also contact the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra (24 hours a day) via tel +61 2 6261 3305. Australians in Indonesia should register with the Australian Embassy via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on-line registration service. Safety and SecurityTerrorism Australian travellers should be aware of the threat of terrorism globally and should read this travel advice in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers. Australians are advised to defer non-essential travel to Indonesia and Australians in Indonesia who are concerned for their safety should consider departing. Australians who consider their presence in Indonesia to be essential should exercise extreme caution. Recent credible reporting suggests that international hotels frequented by Westerners in Jakarta are being targeted in current terrorist planning. Public statements by the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) that security has been increased at a number of Jakarta hotels due to the potential for terrorist attack underline that international hotels are a target. This follows a POLRI warning of May 2005 about possible further suicide bombings in Jakarta, identifying as potential targets other places frequented by foreigners, in particular embassies, international schools, office buildings and shopping malls. Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and could be directed at any locations known to be frequented by foreigners. Such locations could include international hotels, clubs, restaurants (including international fast food outlets), bars, embassies, international schools, expatriate housing compounds, office buildings, churches and other places of worship, shopping centres, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and transport hubs or identifiably western businesses and interests. The central business and embassy districts of Jakarta, other metropolitan and tourist centres in Java and Sumatra and premises and symbols associated with the Indonesian Government are also possible targets. The bomb attack outside the Australian Embassy on 9 September 2004 underscores that the threat to Australians in Indonesia is real. The bombing of nightclubs in Bali on 12 October 2002 and a five-star hotel in central Jakarta in August 2003 are further reminders of this threat. The possibility of another attack against Australians cannot be ruled out. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and could be directed against any locations known to be frequented by foreigners Civil Unrest/Political Tension The arrests and trials of extremists by the Indonesian authorities could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters, including possible demonstrations or acts of violence. Aceh(see also advice on tsunami-related impacts concerning Aceh): Australians are advised to avoid all travel to Aceh, and those in Aceh should depart. Fighting continues between Indonesian government forces and separatists. Indonesian authorities have declared the waters 12 nautical miles around Aceh closed to all foreign shipping. Presidential Decree No 43 of 2003 bans tourists from entering Aceh and regulates the activities of other foreigners in Aceh, including journalists and aid workers. Foreign nationals wishing to enter Aceh for work must have written permission from the Indonesian Government. Foreign nationals already in Aceh are required to report their presence to their local military administrator. We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against foreigners involved in the tsunami relief effort in Aceh and other parts of northern Sumatra. In view of these security concerns Australians should not travel to Banda Aceh or other parts of Aceh to participate in humanitarian relief efforts unless under the auspices of a recognised aid organisation that has facilities in place to accommodate and feed staff and a security plan approved by Indonesian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its personnel. In view of the terrorist threat information, Australians in northern Sumatra should ensure they have a robust security plan in place. We advise Australians not associated with recognised aid organisations and who are not covered by an approved security plan to depart in the interests of their own safety. All Australians in Sumatra and Aceh should register with the Australian Embassy (contact details provided below). Maluku and North Maluku: Australians are advised to avoid all travel to Ambon, Maluku province due to the unsettled security situation. Australians in Maluku province, including Ambon, who are concerned for their safety, should depart. Violence in Ambon has resulted in a number of deaths and serious injuries. The situation in Maluku and North Maluku provinces remains unsettled. Kalimantan: Communal tensions in mixed Dayak and Madurese areas may turn violent. In northern Kalimantan, there is a danger of kidnapping for ransom by insurgents, criminals and terrorists operating from the southern Philippines. Papua: Political tensions associated with separatists in Papua and communal tensions between indigenous Papuans and groups predominantly from other parts of Indonesia may lead to violence. Australians travelling to Papua for other than tourist purposes require a travel permit (Surat Keterangan Jalan) from the police. This can be obtained from the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta and should be sought well in advance of travel. Sulawesi: The security situation in South Sulawesi remains uncertain. Sporadic sectarian and ethnic violence continues to occur. A bomb exploded in a cafe in Palopo in 2004, killing four people. There were specific threats against foreigners in the vicinity of Saroako in May 2004 and the security situation there continues to be problematic. The security situation in Central Sulawesi remains unsettled and sporadic sectarian clashes continue. In May 2005 bomb attacks at a market in Tentena killed 19 people. There have been attacks on inter-provincial and inter-city buses in the area of Poso, including those carrying tourists. In North Sulawesi, near the Philippines border, there is a danger of kidnapping for ransom by insurgents, criminals and terrorists operating from the southern Philippines. West Timor: The security situation in West Timor remains unsettled, particularly in areas near the border with East Timor, where security incidents continue to occur and have the potential to inflame local tensions. Foreigners were evacuated from the border town of Atambua during riots there in early 2005. A degree of resentment towards Australians still exists in the provincial capital of Kupang. The UN has downgraded its security rating for West Timor to Phase III and UN personnel have returned. Personal Security There have been a number of incidents where Australians in and around Jakarta have been robbed after having their car tyre deliberately punctured. Threats and assaults have been committed in taxis. Reputable taxi companies maintain counters inside the airport and can be booked by phone or from stands at major hotels. Prior to travel, Australians should ensure they have a variety of financial options available to them including credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Australians should consult their automatic teller machine (ATM) card provider for information about overseas services and availability. Not all overseas ATMs accept Australian cards. Australians should only carry sufficient cash for their daily needs, secure their valuables against theft and avoid displays of wealth at all times. Photocopies of valuables such as passport, tickets, driving licence and travellers' cheques should be kept separately from the originals. You are required by law to report a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible. As of 1 July 2005, you need to pay an additional fee to have it replaced. In some cases, the Government may restrict the length of validity or type of replacement document. Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. Local Conditions Some coastal areas of Indonesia were hit by a large tsunami on 26 December 2004 resulting in widespread flooding and damage. In March 2005 parts of the Nias and Simeulue Islands were severely damaged by a large earthquake. While basic services are now operating across this region, it will be some time before adequate facilities are in place to service casual travellers. Australians should continue to avoid all travel to the west coast of Northern Sumatra, including Aceh Province and offshore islands. Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Indonesia. This advice should be read in conjunction with our travel bulletin on piracy at sea. Some treks on Mt Rinjani in Lombok are suitable only for experienced climbers. Travelling with a guide is recommended. Indonesia is located in an active seismic region. There has been a high level of earthquake activity in the region since the 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami. The Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation provides daily updates on the status and Alert Level for volcanoes in Indonesia. Weekly reports on volcanic activity are also provided by the Smithsonian Institution. In the event of an earthquake or volcanic activity, local authorities will provide advice. Local Law and Customs Australians are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. Local laws and legal processes can be very different from those in Australia. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards. Penalties for drug offences can be severe and include the death penalty. Gambling is illegal in Indonesia. There have been cases where tourists have fallen victim to organised gambling gangs, particularly in Bali resulting in the loss of large sums of money and threats of violence if travellers are unable to pay the debt. Drivers must have an Indonesian or International drivers licence appropriate to the type of vehicle. Australian licences alone are not sufficient. Some Australian criminal laws, including - but not limited to - those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, have extraterritorial effect. Australians who commit such offences outside of Australia may be prosecuted in Australia for those offences. Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia. Entry and Exit Requirements Australians in Indonesia are required to register with the local Rukun Tertangga (RT) Office, the local police and if staying more than 90 days, the local immigration office. Australians are also required to carry proper identification in the form of an Australian Passport or Kartu Ijin Tinggal Sementara (KITAS) or Residents Stay Permit, and ensure their visa remains current at all times. Visa conditions are subject to change. For up-to-date visa information, Australians should contact the nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate, well in advance of travel. Health Issues Since July 2005, there have been human deaths from avian influenza in Indonesia. Australians should read this travel advice in conjunction with our travel bulletin on avian influenza. The Department of Health and Ageing has received reports of one case of 'polio' in West Java with at least another eight suspected cases since 30 March 2005. A large-scale immunisation campaign is underway in the affected area. The Department of Health and Ageing advises all travellers to Indonesia to ensure they have completed a primary course of polio vaccinations prior to travel. In addition, travellers to the West Java region should have a single booster dose of a polio vaccine if it has been more 10 years since their primary polio vaccination course or last polio booster dose. Travellers unsure of their polio vaccination status should consult a medical practitioner prior to travel. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Health and Ageing's factsheet on polio. Smoke haze across much of the north-west part of the archipelago, usually from July to October, could impact on health and travel plans. Kalimantan and Sumatra are generally the worst affected areas. For information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, travellers should consult their doctor, travel clinic or the World Health Organization. Further information can be found in our 'Travelling Well' brochure. | 
