INDEPENDENT NEWS

Indonesia, West Timor (incl Bali) Travel Advisory

Published: Thu 17 Oct 2002 09:18 PM
This advice has been reviewed and reissued.
It contains new cautionary advice about Bali and Rest of Indonesia.
INDONESIA
General - Always monitor developments closely and exercise great care.
Bali - We advise against all travel to Bali until further notice.
Aceh - We advise against all travel.
Maluku Islands - State of Civil Emergency - foreign nationals not permitted to enter province.
Central Sulawesi - We advise against all travel to the Poso area.
Rest of Indonesia - Defer all tourist and non-essential travel. Short term visitors whose presence is non essential should depart.
West Timor
Belu district - including the border area We advise against all travel.
Kupang - (The provincial capital) We advise against all non-essential travel.
All other areas of West Timor - We advise against all non-essential travel.
BALI : TRAVEL SAFETY ADVICE
INDONESIA
Explosions have occurred at a popular nightclub at Kuta beach in Bali, and also near the United States Consulate in Denpasar. The Sari nightclub in Bali has been extensively damaged and it is known that a number of persons have been killed and injured as a result of the explosion.
New Zealanders remaining in Bali should exercise extreme caution, keep a low profile, remain calm, and monitor developments closely.
New Zealanders intending to travel to Bali in the next few days are advised to defer their travel until further notice. New Zealanders on holiday in Bali should consider advancing their departures on available flights (we understand that some airlines have been arranging extra flights to assist those persons who wish to leave Bali as soon as possible). In the meantime, New Zealanders in Bali should keep a low profile, continue to monitor developments closely, and call home to advise families of their well being.
They should monitor developments closely, including advice on this website which is being regularly updated.
A call centre has been set up
to receive enquiries from New Zealanders
concerned about their relatives who may be in Bali.
Call 0800 432 111 within NZ
Call 64 4 4398 401 outside NZ
Fascimile:
64 4 439 8511
We advise against travel to Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra, due to on-going separatist violence.
Tourism services continue to operate normally in Batam, Bintan and Lombok Islands. However, we advise against all but essential business travel at this time.
There have been sectarian clashes around Poso in Central Sulawesi. New Zealanders are advised against all non-essential travel to the Poso area.
On the island of Java, including Jakarta, the situation is generally settled. However, there have been a number of bombings in Jakarta and some other Javanese cities in the last few years. American citizens and interests are threatened from time to time and westerners may also be the subject of threat. New Zealanders are advised to treat very seriously any threats, including bomb threats, that may be made against them or premises they occupy. We recommend that visitors and residents continue to monitor developments closely, including through the media, to choose their destinations and activities carefully, and to be ready to change their plans at short notice, if necessary. We advise against all but essential business travel at this time. Short term visitors whose presence is non essential should depart.
Tensions have been high in Makassar (Ujung Pandang) in the province of South Sulawesi. Visitors should take particular care when travelling there. These sensitivities do not apply to the Tanah Toraja tourist area of South Sulawesi, where tourist services are operating normally, but we would advise New Zealanders against all but essential business travel at this time.
There was serious inter-communal violence in Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo last year. Similar clashes have occurred in West Kalimantan. We advise New Zealanders against all but essential business travel at this time.
The situation in the Maluku Islands remains tense, with ongoing sectarian violence. The Government has declared a state of civil emergency. Foreign nationals are not permitted to travel to Maluku without special permits that are issued only in exceptional circumstances.
Following attacks on people travelling between Timika and the Freeport Mine in West Papua, in which two foreigners were killed and a number wounded, the security situation is unpredictable. We advise New Zealanders against all but essential business travel at this time, and to exercise extreme caution if travelling in the province and to monitor developments very closely.
The situation in West Timor remains unpredictable, particularly in areas near refugee camps and the border region with East Timor. New Zealanders are advised not to travel to the Belu district, including the border region. We advise against non-essential travel to all other areas in West Timor.
As elsewhere in the world, New Zealanders in Indonesia should take prudent precautions to avoid problems. Maintain a high level of personal security awareness and keep yourself well informed of developments in the areas you plan to visit including through media reports. With the uncertain political and economic situation in Indonesia, there is an increased risk of crime and political violence. Review the security where you are staying, keep doors locked and windows secure, both at home and in vehicles. Maintain a low profile and avoid behaviour that might provoke or offend local sensitivities. Avoid crowds and public places, especially those frequented by Westerners and any where there is any indication that trouble is involved. Hire taxis only from reputable companies, preferably booked by phone. Avoid travelling alone at night. Be alert to pickpockets and con artists.
Residents should continue to monitor developments closely, including from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website www.mfat.govt.nz (which is being regularly updated) and local media, and be ready to change their plans at short notice.
New Zealanders travelling to or resident in Indonesia should have comprehensive medical insurance policies that include provision for medical evacuation by air, as many parts of Indonesia do not have high-quality medical facilities and medical treatment is not free but is often very expensive by New Zealand standards.
If New Zealanders resident in Indonesia do not feel safe they should consider leaving Indonesia for the time being.
New Zealanders in the Indonesia are encouraged to record their details with :
The New Zealand Embassy
BRI II Building, 23rd floor Jln, Jend Sudirman Kav. 44-46
(PO Box 2349 JKT 10024), Jakarta 10210, Indonesia.
Tel: (+ 62 21) 570 9460 Fax: (+ 62 21) 570 9457 Email: nzembjak@cbn.net.id
Please include the following information :
full names of individuals and accompanying dependents,
New Zealand passport number(s),
contact details whilst in the Indonesia,
departure dates and details (where these are known), and
contact information for a family member or friend in New Zealand.
Please note: While every care has been taken in preparing these travel advisories, neither the New Zealand Government nor its agents and employees can accept liability for any loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.

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