AUSTRALIA TRAVEL WARNING: IndonesiaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT31 May 2007 Indonesia
SUMMARY| Terrorist bombings in Bali targeted popular tourist areas. |
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. We receive regular reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. If you are in Indonesia, including Bali, and are concerned for your safety you should consider departing. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, you should exercise extreme caution.- In December 2005, Indonesian authorities warned publicly that terrorists in Indonesia may be planning to kidnap foreigners.
- Terrorist attacks against Westerners in Bali and Jakarta indicate that these areas are a priority target for terrorists in Indonesia. Suicide attacks against locations frequented by foreigners in Bali and Jakarta have killed and injured many people. Locations that might be targets include Jakarta, Bali and Batam. However terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia against a wide range of possible targets, in particular places frequented by foreigners.
- Demonstrations outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta could impede access and pose a safety risk to visitors. Australians should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they can turn violent. Australians should exercise a high level of vigilance and personal security awareness at this time. You should continue to telephone ahead for an appointment before going to the Embassy.
- We strongly advise you not travel to Maluku (particularly Ambon) and Central Sulawesi due to the unstable security situation and risk of terrorist attack. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be in the advance stages of planning attacks in Sulawesi. You should avoid all government buildings and infrastructure.
- We advise you to read carefully the sections below on travel to other parts of Sulawesi, Aceh, Papua, Kalimantan, and West Timor where additional security risks exist.
- In the past year, there have been human deaths of avian influenza in Indonesia. See the Health Issues section below for advice to Australians travelling to or resident in Indonesia.
- On 22 March 2007 the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a media release outlining the results of an operational performance assessment on Indonesian commercial airlines - see our separate travel bulletin Indonesia - Airline Operational Performance Standards. Australians are advised to take the information contained in the bulletin into account and check with their travel agents when making travel plans in Indonesia.
- Because of the serious terrorist threat we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
SAFETY AND SECURITYTerrorism Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers. We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling to Indonesia including Bali, knowing that there is a very high threat from terrorism and you may be caught up in a terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, you should exercise extreme caution. If you are already in Indonesia, including Bali, and concerned for your safety, consider departing. You should be particularly vigilant during holiday periods such as Easter and Christmas. In the past, attacks have occurred during holiday periods in Indonesia. You should exercise caution when visiting locations where large groups of people gather or which are known to be frequented by foreigners. We receive regular reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. In December 2005, Indonesian authorities warned publicly that terrorists in Indonesia may be planning to kidnap foreigners. Attacks against Westerners in Bali and Jakarta indicate that these areas are a priority target for terrorists in Indonesia. Suicide attacks against locations frequented by foreigners in Bali and Jakarta such as the 1 October 2005 and 12 October 2002 Bali bombings and bomb attack outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in September 2004 killed and injured many people. Westerners were also targeted in the bombing of a five-star hotel in central Jakarta in August 2003. As security remains high at official facilities, terrorists may turn towards softer targets. Popular tourist areas or locations known to be frequented by Westerners, including resort areas in Bali, are potential targets. We cannot rule out the possibility of another attack targeting Westerners, including Australians, anywhere in Indonesia. In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided at venues. Tourist areas and attractions throughout Indonesia, and tourists travelling to or from these places, including those in tour groups or tour buses, could also be targeted. In November 2005, Indonesian authorities stepped up security in the Tangkuban Perahu tourist park in West Java. Other possible terrorist targets in Indonesia include international hotels, clubs, sporting clubs and sporting venues, restaurants (including international fast food outlets), bars, cinemas, theatres, embassies, international schools, expatriate housing compounds, office buildings, churches and other places of worship, shopping centres, outdoor recreation events or identifiably western businesses and interests. The central business and embassy districts of Jakarta, other metropolitan and tourist centres and premises and symbols associated with the Indonesian Government are also possible targets. Western fast food outlets have been attacked by terrorists in the past and further attacks cannot be ruled out. Airlines and transport hubs, including airports, may also be terrorist targets. The United States Transportation Security Administration has declared that Denpasar airport in Bali does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards on international aviation security. However, United States airlines are not precluded from flying to Bali. Australian airline carriers continue to operate normally out of Bali and have additional security measures in place to meet ICAO security standards. If you are concerned about airline security you should contact your airline directly to ascertain what security measures it has in place. An extremist website posting discussed possible terrorist tactics including terrorist attacks against foreigners in the Kuningan area of Jakarta, which includes buildings such as the Australian Embassy, the International Trade Centre, the Ambassador Mall, Menara, Rajawali, Menara Danamon and the JW Marriott Hotel. Pedestrians on footbridges and their approaches, including possibly the bridge across Jalan Rasuna Said near the Australian Embassy. The Australian Embassy has advised its staff and their families to be particularly careful in how they travel or walk to and from the Embassy, including when using the Jalan Rasuna Said footbridge near the Embassy. The extremist website also discussed possible terrorist attacks against foreigners at a range of other locations across Jakarta, including those in slow or stationary traffic such as at entrances to toll roads and carparks, at entertainment venues, shopping centres, sports venues, hotels, exhibition centres and/or the zoo. Due to security concerns, security at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and the Consulate-General in Bali is at a high level. Civil Unrest/Political Tension Political and other demonstrations occur regularly in Indonesia. You should avoid such events as they can turn violent with little notice. Demonstrations outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta could impede access and pose a safety risk to visitors. Australians should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they can turn violent. Australians should exercise a high level of vigilance and personal security awareness at this time. You should continue to telephone ahead for an appointment before going to the Embassy. The outcomes of judicial processes, including trials and sentence remissions, of extremists by the Indonesian authorities could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters, including demonstrations and acts of violence. Most demonstrations are publicised in advance by the media and participating organisations. The areas near the Presidential Palace and the other major government buildings are popular sites for demonstrations. Maluku: We strongly advise you not to travel to Maluku province (particularly Ambon) due to the unsettled security situation, including the risk of bomb attack. On 3 March 2007 an explosion in Maluku at Yos Sudarso Harbour, Ambon injured 14 people (4 seriously). The province has been subject to outbreaks of internal violence and the security situation continues to remain unsettled. A number of people have been seriously injured or killed due to the violent security situation. If you are in Maluku province and concerned for your security you should leave. Central Sulawesi: We strongly advise you not to travel to Central Sulawesi province (including Palu, Poso and Tentena) due to the unsettled security situation, including risk of bomb attack and shooting. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be in the advance stages of planning attacks in Sulawesi. You should avoid all government buildings and infrastructure. Bomb attacks and shooting incidents in public areas have occurred regularly in 2005 and 2006 killing and injuring a number of people. Foreigners could be caught up in violence and attacks directed at others, but could also become the targets of violence. There have been attacks on inter-provincial and inter-city buses in the area of Poso, including those carrying tourists. Churches could also be targeted. Other parts of Sulawesi: As for other parts of Indonesia, we advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Sulawesi, due to violence associated with inter-ethnic tensions. There have been bombings in Sulawesi and further attacks cannot be ruled out. You could be caught up in violence and attacks directed at others. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be in the advance stages of planning attacks in Sulawesi. You should avoid all government buildings and infrastructure. South Sulawesi: The security situation in South Sulawesi remains uncertain as sporadic sectarian and ethnic violence continues as do violent demonstrations. 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 is still unstable. "Sweeping" activities (searching for foreigners to vent outrage etc), intended to intimidate foreigners occurred in 2006. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be in the advance stages of planning attacks in Sulawesi. You should avoid all government buildings and infrastructure. North Sulawesi: In North Sulawesi, near the Philippines border, there is a risk of kidnapping for ransom by anti-government groups, criminals and terrorists operating from the southern Philippines. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be in the advance stages of planning attacks in Sulawesi. You should avoid all government buildings and infrastructure. Aceh: The Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a peace accord on 15 August 2005, officially ending armed hostilities. However, the overall security situation remains unsettled. Isolated incidents of violence, usually of a criminal nature continue to occur. Before travelling to Aceh, you should contact Indonesian authorities to ascertain whether your activities require formal approval. Papua: Political tensions associated with anti-government groups in Papua and inter-ethnic tensions may lead to violence. If you are travelling to Papua for reasons other than tourism you will require a travel permit (Surat Keterangan Jalan) from the police. This can be obtained from the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Applications may take some time to process. Kalimantan: Communal tensions in mixed Dayak and Madurese areas may turn violent. In northern Kalimantan, there is a danger of kidnapping for ransom by anti-government groups, 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. Riots resulting in widespread property damage occurred in Atambua in September 2006 following the executions of three Christians for their roles in inter-communal violence. Crime Petty crime is common and robberies are increasing. Credit card and ATM fraud is also on the increase. In some cases, violence has been used. Thieves on motorcycles commit 'snatch theft' where they speed to a victim from behind and snatch their handbag. Thefts and robberies from cars stopped at traffic lights are increasing. Cases of robbery and temporary confinement involving taxis have been reported in urban areas, particularly in Jakarta. Victims are required to withdraw funds from credit or debit cards at ATMs to obtain their release. Such situations can arise near an outdoor ATM or they can be initiated while in a vehicle, including taxis co-opted for this purpose. Female travellers who are alone appear to be more vulnerable. You should consider limiting withdrawals or currency exchanges to small sums, and to only use ATMs during daylight hours and in secure locations inside banks, shops or malls. Only use official taxi companies in Indonesia as foreigners travelling with disreputable taxi companies have been robbed and assaulted. Reputable taxi companies have counters inside the airport and can be booked by phone or from stands at major hotels. You should check taxis carefully as unscrupulous operators have taxis that look similar to those run by reputable companies. There have been reports of tourists being robbed after bringing back visitors to their hotel rooms. In some cases, the victims' drinks were spiked. In and around Jakarta, tourists have been robbed when they have stopped to repair car tyres that have been deliberately punctured by criminals. Local Travel Some treks on Mt Rinjani in Lombok are only suited to experienced climbers. We recommend you travel with a guide when hiking and seek information on the level of difficulty. Inter-island travel by ferries and small boats can be dangerous as storms appear quickly and safety equipment is often limited. Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Indonesia. See our travel advice on shipping and ports for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website. Airline Safety On 22 March 2007 the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a media release outlining the results of an operational performance assessment on Indonesian commercial airlines - see our separate travel bulletin Indonesia - Airline Operational Performance Standards. Australians are advised to take the information contained in the bulletin into account and check with their travel agents when making travel plans in Indonesia. Due to safety concerns, Australian government officials have been advised to avoid flying on airlines rated as category 3 under the Indonesia Airline Operational Performance assessment. Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only be allowed to carry a small amount of liquids, (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Transport and Regional Services website. If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)). The Department of Transport and Regional Services has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are provided advice not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns this will be included in travel advice. The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO. Natural Disasters Earthquakes: Indonesia is located in an active earthquake region and there has been a high level of earthquake activity in the region since the 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami. Floods: Floods and mudslides occur regularly during the wet season from December to March. Volcanoes: The warning level for Mt Merapi was downgraded to level II (Ready status) on 7 August 2006, according to the Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. You can also find out further information from the Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation's daily updates on the status and Alert Level for volcanoes in Indonesia and the Smithsonian Institution's weekly updates. Information on natural disasters can also be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure. In the event of a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities. Wildlife Watching Australians are strongly advised to maintain safe and legal approach distance when observing wildlife. You should use only reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice. Money and Valuables Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves. As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. 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. Since 1 July 2005, Australians have been required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports. For Parents If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia. Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council. Local LawsWhen you are in Indonesia be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Travellers should note some aspects of Sharia (Islamic) Law have been introduced in Aceh and travellers should seek to inform themselves of relevant provisions. Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter. Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty. Penalties for possession of even small amounts of recreational drugs include heavy fines and imprisonment. Indonesian police target illegal drug use and possession across Indonesia, and in particular popular places and venues in Bali and Jakarta. Serious crimes, such as murder and treason, may attract 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. To drive in Indonesia you will require an Indonesian or international driver's licence appropriate to the type of vehicle. Only having an Australian licence will not be sufficient. Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia. 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. Information for Dual Nationals Indonesia does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Indonesian dual nationals who are arrested or detained. Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals. Entry and Exit RequirementsVisa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia, for the most up to date information. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from your date of arrival in Indonesia. Visitors may be granted a seven day visa on arrival for a fee of USD10 or a 30 day visa on arrival for a fee of USD25. Both visas are non-extendable and non-transferable. You are required to register with the local Rukun Tertangga (RT) Office and the local police when you arrive in Indonesia. If you are staying more than 90 days you must have a visa that allows this and you also have to register with the local immigration office. Ensure you have the correct, current visa at all times as otherwise you may be fined, jailed, deported or banned from re-entering Indonesia for a period of time. Under Indonesian law you are required to carry identification (an Australian Passport, Kartu Ijin Tinggal Sementara (KITAS) or Residents Stay Permit) at all times. Health IssuesWe strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas. Medical facilities are generally below western standards and in many regions hospitals provide only basic facilities. Hospitals often require confirmation of medical insurance cover or up-front payment prior to providing any medical services, including for emergency care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to Singapore or Australia is recommended, costing between $A10,000 to $A85,000 depending on circumstances and location. In Bali, a decompression chamber is located at the Sanglah General Hospital, Denpasar. Mosquito-borne and other insect borne illnesses are common in Indonesia. Malaria is prevalent throughout rural areas of Indonesia but is uncommon in major cities in Java and Bali. Dengue fever occurs throughout Indonesia, including the major cities, and is particularly common during the rainy season. Japanese encephalitis and filariasis are also present, particularly in rural agricultural areas. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and using an insect repellent. Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, filariasis, tuberculosis, rabies and polio) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and uncooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea. Avian influenza: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza. Since July 2005, there have been human deaths from avian influenza in Indonesia. The Department of Health advises Australians who reside in Indonesia for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced. Australians intending to travel to Indonesia for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks. If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Indonesia should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Indonesia should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice. In September 2005 the Australian Government decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at its missions in Indonesia. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. Australian missions will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas and it is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza). Polio: If you are travelling to Indonesia the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) recommends that you complete a primary course of polio vaccinations prior to travel. There is an outbreak of polio in West Java and a large-scale immunisation campaign is underway in the affected area. If you are travelling to the West Java region and it has been more than 10 years since your primary polio vaccination course or last polio booster dose you should have a single booster dose of a polio vaccine. If you are unsure of your polio vaccination status, check with your doctor prior to travel. DoHA provides further information on polio in their factsheet. Dengue fever: Indonesian authorities have reported a significant increase in cases of dengue fever throughout Indonesia. See your doctor or travel clinic for advice about anti-mosquito precautions. Smoke haze: It is typical for there to be a smoke haze across much of the north-west part of the archipelago from July to October. Kalimantan and Sumatra are generally the worst affected areas. You should be aware the smoke haze could impact on your health and travel plans. | 
