Indonesia

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali, due to the high threat of terrorist attack.

We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place at any time. Since 2010, police have disrupted a number of terrorist groups in Jakarta, Central Java, East Java, West Java, Central Sulawesi, Lampung, Banten and North Sumatra.

On 18 March 2012, police disrupted a terrorist cell in Bali. Since October 2012 there have been a number of terrorist related incidents in Poso, Central Sulawesi, including a blast that killed two police officers. On 26-27 October 2012, police arrested a number of alleged terrorists in locations across Java suspected of planning several attacks, including at US diplomatic missions in Jakarta and Surabaya and the Plaza 89 building in Kuningan, Jakarta, which is located close to the Australian Embassy.

In January 2013 police disrupted terrorist groups in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara and Makassar, South Sulawesi. Police also disrupted a terrorist group in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

Police continue to conduct operations against these groups. Police have stated publicly that terrorist suspects remain at large and that they may seek to attack Western targets.

Terrorists have previously attacked or planned to attack places where Westerners gather including nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, airports and places of worship in Bali, Jakarta and elsewhere in Indonesia. These types of venues could be targeted again. In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided at venues.

Suicide attacks against locations frequented by foreigners in Bali and Jakarta such as the 12 October 2002 and 1 October 2005 Bali bombings and bomb attack outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in September 2004 killed and injured many people.

On 17 July 2009, terrorists detonated bombs at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the JW Marriott Hotel in Mega Kuningan, Jakarta. Australians were among those killed and injured. The JW Marriott Hotel was also attacked in August 2003.

There were suicide attacks on places of worship in 2011. On 15 April 2011, a suicide bombing at a mosque in Cirebon, West Java, killed one person and injured around thirty others. On 25 September 2011, a suicide bomb attack was carried out at a church in Solo (Surakarta), Central Java, in which a number of people were injured.

A number of small explosive devices targeting Indonesian private residences, a government building, a religious organisation and an electrical substation were found in Jakarta in March 2011. A police officer was injured attempting to disarm one of the devices, but there were no further injuries. Further such incidents are possible.

In past years, we have received information about possible terrorist attacks in Indonesia during the Christmas and New Year period. Analysts consider that gatherings of Westerners over Christmas, New Year and other holiday periods could again be appealing targets for terrorists. You should be particularly vigilant during the period surrounding local observances and holiday periods.

On some occasions where high profile extremists have been detained or killed, there has been a strong response from some supporters in Indonesia, including acts of violence. We consider that any terrorist attacks are more likely to focus on places where large numbers of Westerners gather, including, but not limited to, tourist areas in islands such as Bali, as well as Jakarta and other places in Indonesia.

If you are evacuated from a building for security reasons (such as a bomb threat), you should not gather outside with a large group. Terrorists have been known to conduct secondary attacks targeting bystanders and those who come to help. Instead, you should immediately move to a safe location and only return to the building when authorised to do so.

You should take particular care to avoid places known to be terrorist targets. Tourist areas and attractions throughout Indonesia and tourists travelling to or from these places, including those in tour groups or tour buses, could be targeted. Other possible targets include international hotels, clubs, sporting clubs and venues, restaurants, international fast food outlets, bars, nightclubs, Western-branded venues, cinemas, theatres, Jakarta's embassy district and diplomatic missions elsewhere, international schools, expatriate housing compounds and Western interests and businesses. Places frequented by foreigners, central business areas, office buildings, churches and other places of worship, airlines, airports, public transport and transport hubs, shopping centres, premises and symbols associated with the Indonesian Government, and outdoor recreation events are also potential targets.

As a consequence of the security environment, security at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and the Consulate-General in Bali remains at a high level. The Australian Embassy has advised its staff and their families to be particularly careful in how they travel to and from the Embassy.

For security reasons, staff at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta have been directed not to live in apartments which are co-located with, adjacent to or closely associated with international hotels that have been and may continue to be terrorist targets.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Political rallies, protests and demonstrations occur regularly. Most are publicised in advance and are often held near the Presidential Palace, major government buildings and embassies.

You should monitor local media and avoid protests, demonstrations and rallies as they can turn violent with little notice. You should also maintain a high level of vigilance and security awareness.

Australians in Indonesia should be aware that judicial processes, including trials of extremists and the implementation of sentences, could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters such as demonstrations and acts of violence.

A number of areas in Indonesia are subject to ongoing inter-communal and sectarian tensions that have the potential to spill over into violence. Inter-communal and sectarian violence resulting in a number of deaths has occurred in Central Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua and West Papua provinces in recent times. There is a risk of further violence in these areas. There have also been recent outbreaks of localised violence directed at minority groups elsewhere, including in West Java.

Central Sulawesi Province: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Central Sulawesi as there have previously been outbreaks of communal violence, bomb attacks and shootings in this province.
Following recent violence, enhanced security measures have been implemented throughout Central Sulawesi, including in Poso. There is a risk of further violence.

Maluku: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Maluku province due to recent outbreaks of sectarian violence. Clashes in Ambon in mid-September 2011 resulted in several deaths. The security situation could again deteriorate quickly.

Papua and West Papua: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Papua and West Papua provinces due to tensions associated with anti-government groups or local political factors. These tensions have led to violence in the past, and may lead to further violence. If you are travelling to Papua and West Papua provinces for reasons other than tourism, you will require a travel permit (Surat Keterangan Jalan). Permits can be obtained from the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Applications may take some time to process.

Since late May 2012, there have been a number of violent attacks in and around Jayapura, in which a number of people have been killed and several injured, including one foreign national. There is a risk of further attacks.

In recent years there has been a series of violent attacks in the area around the Freeport Mine in Papua province, including attacks on vehicles using the Grasberg to Timika road. Attacks were reported in the area in March and April 2013. Further such attacks could occur. Information indicates that attacks may be planned near the area of operation of the Freeport mine. A number of these incidents have resulted in deaths, including of one Australian.

Ongoing violence in Puncak Jaya District in Papua Province has led to a number of deaths in recent years, including most recently on 21 February 2013 in Tingginambut and Sinak. There is a possibility of further attacks in Papua and West Papua provinces, including on infrastructure and national institutions.

Petty crime, such as opportunistic theft, is common. Violence is sometimes used. Thieves on motorcycles may snatch handbags and backpacks from pedestrians. Bag snatching in upmarket shopping malls and on crowded public transport has occurred. Thefts from cars stopped at traffic lights have been reported and tourists have been robbed while repairing car tyres punctured by criminals.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs in Indonesia. You should monitor transactions statements and use ATMs in secure locations such as banks, shops or malls.

Tourists may be exposed to scams and confidence tricks. Travellers have reported losing large sums of money in card game scams and other fraudulent activity, including in Bali. In Bali, legal disputes are common regarding the purchase of property including land, houses, holiday clubs and time share schemes. Australians should thoroughly research and obtain legal advice on any proposals before entering into an agreement or providing personal financial details. See our International Scams page for further information.

There have been reports of tourists being robbed after bringing back visitors to their hotel rooms. In some cases, the victims' drinks were spiked.

Cases of robbery and temporary confinement in taxis have previously been reported in urban areas, including in Jakarta. Victims have been forced to withdraw funds from credit or debit cards at ATMs to obtain their release. Lone female travellers appear most vulnerable. You should only use official taxi companies that can be booked by phone or from stands at major hotels and from inside the airport. You should check taxis carefully as unscrupulous operators have vehicles that look similar to those run by reputable companies.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and 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. You should carry a copy of your passport with you for identification purposes.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

You should only use licensed money changers and count the cash given to you.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from the 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.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Fatal air crashes involving the Indonesian carrier Susi Air occurred on 9 September 2011, 23 November 2011 and 25 April 2012. Australian officials in Indonesia have been directed not to use Susi Air for official travel until further notice.

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. The FAA has determined that Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is not in compliance with ICAO safety standards for the oversight of Indonesia's air carrier operations. For more information, visit the FAA website. The US embassy in Jakarta has advised Americans travelling to and from Indonesia to fly directly to their destination on international carriers whenever possible.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. While all Indonesian airlines were included on the list in July 2007, four carriers (Garuda Indonesia, Airfast Indonesia, Mandala Airlines and Ekspress Transportasi Antarbenua (trading as PremiAir) were taken off the list in July 2009. To see the list, visit the EU website.

CASA assesses the safety of all aircraft flying within, to and from Australia. CASA has certified Garuda Indonesia and Air Asia to operate flights between Australia and Indonesia. CASA cannot assess the safety of any Indonesian carriers operating within Indonesia or to countries other than Australia.

For further information, please refer to our aviation safety and security air travel page.

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in many parts of Indonesia. You should find out what customs are observed in your destination and take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.

Indonesia's citizenship legislation permits children born to an Indonesian parent and a foreign parent to maintain citizenship of both countries until their 18th birthday. For more information, contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia or visit Indonesia's the Department of Law and Human Rights website (in Indonesian).

Our Dual Nationals page provides further information for dual nationals.

Floods and mudslides: Floods and mudslides occur regularly throughout Indonesia during the wet season from October to March. Previous floods have caused deaths and the displacement of people. Recent heavy rains resulted in wide areas of the greater Jakarta region being significantly affected by flood waters. Key services, such as transport, telecommunications, emergency and medical care, and the supply of food and water are often disrupted. The high risk of contracting a water-borne disease may persist after the water recedes.

Volcanoes: There are a number of active volcanoes in Indonesia. You should be aware that they erupt periodically and have caused widespread loss of life and destruction in the past. Alert levels can be raised and evacuations ordered at short notice. Volcanic ash clouds have caused disruptions to airports and flights between Australia and Bali have been cancelled or redirected in the past. Travellers are advised to verify schedules with the airline before departure. You should be aware that volcanic activity is continuing in Indonesia and further eruptions may occur at any time.

If you plan to travel to an area near an active volcano, you should check the Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation's daily updates on the status and alert level and the Smithsonian Institution's weekly updates.

Earthquakes: Indonesia is in an active earthquake region with a high level of earthquake activity, sometimes triggering tsunamis.

Strong earthquakes can occur anywhere in Indonesia, but are less common in Kalimantan and south-west Sulawesi. During 2011, Indonesia experienced ten earthquakes measuring 6.5 or more on the Richter scale. Many of these caused deaths, injuries or significant damage. More than 250 earthquakes with a magnitude of at least five occurred across Indonesia last year.

Tsunamis: 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, you should follow the advice of local authorities. More information is available from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

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.