Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• On 17 July 2009, suicide bombers carried out attacks against the Ritz Carlton and Marriott Hotels in Jakarta.  Seven people were killed and 55 injured. 
  
  
• We advise you to exercise caution when travelling to Aceh, Central Sulawesi Province (especially Palu, Poso and Tentena), Maluku Province (especially Ambon) and Papua (including Papua province and West Papua Province).Since 11 July at least three people have been killed and a number injured in armed attacks on vehicles travelling between Timika and Tembagapura towns in Papua.   You should be alert to the potential for politically motivated violence. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Indonesia. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out these attacks at any time and any where in the country.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  Terrorist attacks in Jakarta on 17 July and in Bali in October 2005 and October 2002 killed and injured a number of British nationals. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details of previous attacks and precautions that you should take.
  
  
• With the exception of Garuda Airlines, Mandala Airlines, Airfast and Ekspres Transportasi Antarbenua (operating as PremiAir), all Indonesian airlines are refused permission to operate services to the EU because Indonesia is unable to ensure that other airlines meet international safety standards.  It is recommended that you avoid flying with Indonesian carriers subject to the EU operating ban.  See the Air Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Indonesia sits along a volatile seismic strip called the 'Ring of Fire' and volcanic eruptions, earthquakes occur regularly and tsunamis are possible. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Indonesia have led to over 100 reported human fatalities.  The last confirmed fatality was in February 2009.  See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and also Avian and Pandemic Influenza for more details.
  
  
• Around 150,000 British nationals visit Indonesia every year (Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)). 2,294 British nationals required consular assistance in Indonesia in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March -2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (16 cases); hospitalisations (9 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (6 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (67 cases).  Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe and can include the death penalty.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and our Travel Insurance page.