Australian Travel Advice For Indonesia.

[Lighthouse]

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under the Summary and Safety and Security: Terrorism (terrorist attacks could take place at any time and could be imminent). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. If you are in Indonesia, including Bali, and are concerned for your safety you should consider departing. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, you should exercise extreme caution.
  
• There have been recent arrests of high level terrorist operatives in Indonesia, but we assess terrorists are continuing active planning of attacks. These attacks could take place at any time and could be imminent. Australians should consider this information carefully when considering travel to Indonesia. Particular care should be taken at this time to avoid known terrorist targets (see Terrorism section below).
  
• In December 2005, Indonesian authorities warned publicly that terrorists in Indonesia may be planning to kidnap foreigners.
  
• Terrorist attacks against Westerners in Bali and Jakarta indicate that these areas are a priority target for terrorists in Indonesia. Suicide attacks against locations frequented by foreigners in Bali and Jakarta have killed and injured many people. Locations that might be targets include Jakarta, Bali and Batam. However terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia against a wide range of possible targets, in particular places frequented by foreigners.
  
• Demonstrations outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta could impede access and pose a safety risk to visitors. Australians should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they can turn violent. Australians should exercise a high level of vigilance and personal security awareness at this time. You should continue to telephone ahead for an appointment before going to the Embassy.
  
• We strongly advise you not travel to Maluku (particularly Ambon) and Central Sulawesi due to the unstable security situation and risk of terrorist attack. Recent credible reports indicate that terrorists may be in the advance stages of planning attacks in Sulawesi. You should avoid all government buildings and infrastructure.
  
• We advise you to read carefully the sections below on travel to other parts of Sulawesi, Aceh, Papua, Kalimantan, and West Timor where additional security risks exist.
  
• In the past year, there have been human deaths of avian influenza in Indonesia. See the Health Issues section below for advice to Australians travelling to or resident in Indonesia.
  
• On 22 March 2007 the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a media release outlining the results of an operational performance assessment on Indonesian commercial airlines. The DGCA announced some changes to its original assessments on 26 June 2007 - see our separate travel bulletin Indonesia - Airline Operational Performance Standards. Australians should carefully consider the information contained in the bulletin and check with their travel agent when making travel plans for Indonesia
  
• Because of the serious terrorist threat we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us so we can contact you in an emergency.
  

Full Report: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-c...vice/Indonesia

[Auzzee]

With the imminent departure from Darwin of yachts involved in the Ambon Race, Sail Saumlaki and the Indonesia Rally, I strongly recommend participants check with organisers in Darwin, as well as those in Indonesia, regarding safety issues. Intelligence gained from captured members of Jammah Islamiah is the origin of Bob's post (above). JI has shown a willingness to continue bombing areas where westerners congregate in Indonesia. Their involvement in the mass killings of westerners in Bali is well documented.

David.