Indonesia
Summary
TRAVEL INSURANCE
The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Indonesia. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Travellers should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.
Recent demonstrations in central Jakarta resulted in violent clashes between protesters and the police. You should avoid any large gatherings of people, monitor local media, and maintain a high level of vigilance.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country.
Do not get involved with illegal drugs, which carry lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty.
Indonesia sits along a volatile seismic strip called the 'Ring of Fire'.
We advise against all but essential travel to Papua province.
You should ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months after the conclusion of any trip to Indonesia and other countries within South East Asia.
Safety and Security
Whilst the overall political situation is stable, developments elsewhere, including the Middle East, resonate in Indonesia. You should follow news reports and be alert to any developments, which might trigger public protests or unrest. You should avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. If you become aware of any nearby violence you should leave the area immediately. You should keep yourself informed of developments, including by monitoring the local media, and maintain a high level of vigilance.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places where large groups of people gather or which are known to be frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers: beach resorts, bars and restaurants, hotels and shopping malls hosting major international brand outlets, tourist attractions, places of worship, ferry terminals and airports. Attacks may also target Indonesia Government and law enforcement interests.
If you are visiting, or are resident in Indonesia, you should exercise caution at all times. Ensure that you are comfortable with, and regularly review, your security arrangements.
You should be particularly vigilant during holiday periods such s Easter, Christmas, Nyepi (Balinese New Year – 23/24 March) and Independence Day (17 August), which can bring periods of heightened tension in Indonesia.
We advise against all but essential travel to Aceh, Central Sulawesi Province, Maluku Province, Papua and West Papua Province.
Since 2009, a number of tourist deaths in Indonesia, have been linked to the consumption of locally-brewed rice wine "arak" which has been contaminated with methanol. We advise all travellers, especially in Bali, Lombok and Gili Islands, not to consume this drink.
Local Laws and Customs
You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. You should be aware of offending Islamic sensitivities. Westerners have occasionally been harassed by fundamentalists in bars and nightclubs, particularly around major Islamic holidays such as Ramadan.
Do not get involved with illegal drugs. Possession, trafficking and manufacture of such drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. Those caught face lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty, usually after a protracted and expensive legal process. Police often raid locations (particularly in Bali) known to be frequented by foreigners, and may require an individual to take a urine or blood test where they have reasonable suspicion that drugs have been taken. Drug use or the possession of even small amounts of drugs such as marijuana or ecstasy can lead to prison sentences upwards of four years. Convicted traffickers or users of hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin face the death penalty in Indonesia.
Gambling is illegal in Indonesia.
Natural Disasters and Climate
Indonesia sits along a volatile seismic strip called the “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific Ocean. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur regularly, which can, where the severity and conditions of the quake combine, present a potential threat of tsunamis within the region. The capacity of the Indonesian emergency and rescue services, and local authorities, to deal with large natural disasters is limited.
It is understood that 90% of the world's earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire which is a direct consequence of plate tectonics and the movement of collisions of crustal plates.
Flash floods and more widespread flooding occur regularly. Cities, especially Jakarta, are frequently subject to severe localised flooding which can result in major disruption, and occasional fatalities.
There are numerous volcanoes in Indonesia, any of which can erupt without warning. You should exercise caution, check news reports and follow local advice before travelling to volcanic areas.
You should take extra care, particularly when travelling by boat. There have been a number of reports of boats capsizing due to stormy weather.
Additional Country Info
Health and medical care standards in Indonesia can be poor and some medical tests cannot be done reliably. Good medical treatment can be very expensive. In remote areas, high quality services for serious injury or illness are unlikely to be available. You may require expensive medical evacuation. Make sure you have valid comprehensive travel health insurance cover and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONS
The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore is accredited to Indonesia. For contact details, please click here (Opens in new window).
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