16 December 2004
This travel advice has been revised and reissued.
New Zealanders should defer non-essential and tourist travel to Indonesia (including Bali, Batam and Bintan) until
further notice. New Zealanders in Indonesia who are concerned for their safety should consider departing.
Credible information has been received suggesting that terrorists are ready to carry out an attack shortly in Indonesia,
possibly targeting a Hilton Hotel. Other targets cannot be ruled out. In view of this new information, New Zealanders in
Jakarta and throughout Indonesia, are advised to avoid all international hotels and other places where foreigners are
known to gather.
In the lead up to and over the Christmas and New Year period we continue to receive reports that terrorists in the
region are planning attacks against a range of targets. These attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and
could be directed against any locations known to be frequented by foreigners.
Terrorists have shown that they have the means and motivation to carry out successful attacks. The bomb attack outside
the Australian Embassy on 9 September 2004 underlines the ongoing terrorist threat in Indonesia.
Further attacks against Indonesian government targets and Western interests, including in Jakarta, could occur at any
time so these and areas of cultural or historical significance should also be avoided.
New Zealanders who do travel to Indonesia should observe a high level of security awareness in public, choose their
destinations and activities carefully, avoid places where westerners are known to gather such as hotels, clubs, bars,
shopping malls, tourist resorts and places of worship, and consider carefully the need for any travel within Indonesia.
They should treat very seriously any threats, including bomb threats that may be made against them or the premises they
occupy.
Demonstrations are a feature of Indonesian life, especially in Jakarta. Most demonstrations pass without incident, but
we advise New Zealanders to avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
The advice above applies throughout Indonesia without exception.
We offer the following additional comments on particular regions.
Aceh
We advise against all travel to Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra. The Indonesian Government replaced martial law in
Aceh with a state of civil emergency in May 2004 and this was extended for another six months in November 2004. The
security situation remains uncertain. New Zealanders in Aceh should leave. Waters inside the 12 nautical mile limit
around Aceh are closed to foreign shipping.
Papua
In (West) Papua the security situation remains unpredictable and there is a risk of kidnapping. We advise against all
travel to (West) Papua. Permits are required for all travel to Papua, except Jayapura and Biak.
Sulawesi
We advise against all travel to Sulawesi. Violence continues. The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group’s practice of kidnapping
foreigners in the south western Phiilippines poses a risk to foreigners in areas closest to the Philippines, such as
North Sulawesi, and especially in outlying islands. There is a history of sectarian clashes in Poso and neighbouring
areas in Central Sulawesi. Tensions flared again in October and November 2003 with at least 19 fatalities. Makassar
(Ujung Pandang), the capital of South Sulawesi, and Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, have been the scenes of
bombings. Threats against Westerners and western interests remain high.
West Timor
The situation in West Timor remains unpredictable, particularly in areas near the border region with Timor Leste (East
Timor). New Zealanders are advised not to travel to areas outside Kupang and near the border area with East Timor.
Maluku
We advise against all travel to Maluku. In April 2004 long simmering inter-religious tensions in Maluku province
escalated with serious violence in Ambon. Around 40 persons were killed. The Indonesian army was deployed to the region
to restore order. The situation in Maluku and north Maluku remains unsettled.
Kalimantan
The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group’s practice of kidnapping foreigners in the southwestern Philippines, near Indonesia,
poses a risk to foreigners in northern Kalimantan region.
Entry Requirements
New Zealanders travelling to Indonesia as tourists should either obtain a visa from an Indonesian diplomatic post before
they travel, or purchase one on arrival at one of the main air or seaports. A three day visa costs US$10 and a 30 day
visa costs US$25. Payment must be made in US dollars on arrival. It is recommended that travellers have the exact US
dollars cash available as not all entry points have full bank facilities in place. The visas are non-extendable and
cannot be converted to any other type of stay permit. If you are in any doubt about your situation, or if you are
travelling for purposes other than tourism, you should check with an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.
New Zealanders resident in or travelling to 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. Good
quality treatment is often expensive by New Zealand standards. New Zealanders should also keep in mind that many
insurance policies have terrorism exclusion clauses.
New Zealanders in 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.
ENDS