Asia and Oceania

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. For more general information see our Travelling during Ramadan page.

You should be aware of offending Muslim 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 are empowered to compel an individual to take a urine or blood test where they have reasonable suspicion that drugs have been taken, even where no actual illegal substances have been found on the person. Drug use or even the possession of small amounts of drugs such as marijuana or ecstasy can lead to prison sentences longer than 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.  There have been cases where tourists have fallen victim to organised gambling gangs, resulting in the loss of large amounts of money.

 

You must show evidence of your identity if it is requested by, for example, the Police.  You should carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and your arrival card to avoid losing the original, which should be kept in a safe place.

 

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.