Australian Government Travel Warnings for Indonesia (including BALI) – High Threat of Terrorist Attack

Exercise a high degree of caution

This Advice was last issued on Monday, 11 July 2014.   This advice contains new information under Entry and exit (the fee for a visa on arrival has increased to $US35) and Crime (there has been an increase in reports of violent crime in Bali. Be aware of your surroundings and conscious of the potential risks of crime. Victims of crime should make a full statement to local police in person. You should be aware that Indonesian police cannot investigate crimes reported by victims who have departed Indonesia without making a report). We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the high threat of terrorist attack.

• Exercise normal safety precautions
• Exercise a high degree of caution
• Reconsider your need to travel
• Do not travel

 

• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the high threat of terrorist attack. You should also be aware of the severe penalties for narcotics offences, including the death penalty; some specific health risks; and risks associated with natural disasters.
• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• Presidential elections were conducted in July 2014. You should maintain a high level of vigilance and security awareness in the period following the election. We recommend that you monitor local media and avoid any protests, demonstrations and political rallies as they may turn violent with little notice.
• We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place at any time.
• Terrorist groups remain active throughout Indonesia despite police disruptions. Police continue to conduct operations against these groups and have stated publicly that terrorist suspects remaining at large may seek to attack Western targets.
• You should exercise particular caution around locations that have a low level of protective security and avoid places known to be possible terrorist targets. See the Safety and security section of this advice for details.
• Terrorists have previously attacked or planned to attack places where Westerners gather, including nightclubs, bars, restaurants, international hotels, airports and places of worship in Bali, Jakarta and elsewhere in Indonesia. These types of venues could be targeted again.
• The Australian Embassy in Jakarta periodically experiences demonstration activity. Australians should expect traffic delays and restricted access to and from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta during demonstration activity. You should telephone ahead for an appointment before going to the Australian Embassy (See Where to get help section).
• Indonesia is subject to a range of natural disasters including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods. You should pay close attention to emergency procedures and monitor local warnings.
• Visitors to Indonesia, particularly to tourist locations such as Bali and Lombok, should be aware of the specific risks from crime, and from drink-spiking and consumption of alcohol adulterated with harmful substances such as methanol. Tourists may also be exposed to scams and credit card/ATM fraud. There has been an increase in reports of violent crime in Bali. Be aware of your surroundings and conscious of the potential risks of crime. (see under Crime for more information).
• Petty crime, such as opportunistic theft, is common in Indonesia. Thieves on motorcycles may snatch handbags and backpacks from pedestrians. Tourists may be exposed to scams and confidence tricks in Indonesia. Legal disputes are common regarding the purchase of real estate including land, houses, holiday clubs and time share schemes.
• You should exercise normal beach safety behaviour and consider carefully the risks involved in using motorcycles, including licence and insurance issues (see under Local travel for more information).
• Visitors should be aware that there is a risk of rabies throughout Indonesia, in particular Bali and Nias. See under Health for advice to Australians travelling to or resident in Indonesia.
• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Central Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua and West Papua provinces where additional safety and security risks exist. Since October 2012, a number of violent incidents have been reported in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
• Since July 2009, there has been a series of violent attacks in the area around the Freeport Mine in Papua province. A number of these incidents have resulted in deaths, including of one Australian. Attacks were reported in the area in December 2013 and January 2014. Further such attacks could occur. Information indicates that attacks may be planned near the area of operation of the Freeport mine.
• Ongoing violence in Puncak Jaya District in Papua Province has led to a number of deaths in recent years, including most recently in November 2013 in Mulia and in January 2014 in Kulirik. There is a possibility of further attacks in Papua and West Papua provinces, including attacks on infrastructure and national institutions.
• Because of the high threat of terrorist attack in Indonesia we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us so we can contact you in an emergency.