Indonesia

Bali

Indonesia: President Says Terrorists Still a Threat

Date: August 21st, 2008 |

In an address before Parliament, Indonesia’s president warned that the country still faces terrorist threats despite the absence of a major attack in almost three years. Authorities cracked down on Islamic militants following a bombing on the island of Bali in 2005 and have been successful in stopping potential attacks, most recently in July when [read more]

Indonesia: U.S. State Department Lifts Travel Warning

Date: May 28th, 2008 |

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The U.S. State Department lifted its almost eight-year travel warning for Indonesia citing improvements in the security situation following the government’s disruption, arrest and conviction of numerous terrorists. Terrorist threats remain, however, and the State Department has not changed its recommendations for security precautions, which include keeping a low profile, being vigilant at all times, [read more]

Indonesia: Former Aceh Rebels Lead “Guerrilla” Tourist Hikes

Date: February 20th, 2008 |

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In an effort to develop a tourism economy through local tourism projects, former guerrillas in impoverished Aceh province on the northwestern tip of Sumatra are taking adventurous tourists on “guerrilla treks” in the surrounding jungle to see where they hid and fought the army. The 30-year conflict came to an end in 2005 shortly after [read more]

Indonesia: Medan Puts Squeeze on Beggars and Tourists Who Give

Date: August 8th, 2007 |

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The North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan has drafted a law to levy heavy fines on tourists or others who give money to beggars. A charitable act could cost the giver the equivalent of $660 if the law is passed and enforced, and the beggar could face up to six weeks in jail. The law [read more]

Indonesia: Airlines Fail to Meet International Standards

Date: April 18th, 2007 |

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Two recent air accidents—a plane crash in January and an aircraft overshooting a runway in March—prompted the government to order an audit of all Indonesian air carriers. The result was that none of the 54 companies checked received the top of three grades, and six were warned to meet safety regulations in three months or [read more]

Indonesia: Police Thwart Terrorist Attack

Date: July 10th, 2008 |

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Despite Indonesia’s success in bringing terrorists to justice and thwarting attacks before they occur, the threat of terrorism lingers as indicated by the recent arrests of 10 suspected terrorists who reportedly placed bombs in a popular tourist café in Bukittinggi, Sumatra, only to call off the attack because too many Indonesians would die. They decided [read more]

Indonesia: “Drink-Spiking” Increasing in Jakarta

Date: February 27th, 2008 |

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According to the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, the Indonesian National Police have reported an increase in “drink-spiking” in Jakarta within the past month targeting men frequenting clubs and nightspots. The drug of choice is believed to be a powerful animal tranquilizer that knocks out the victim for a long period of time and produces side [read more]

Indonesia: Security Tightened in Bali, Sharia Law a Tourist Attraction in Sumatra, Floods in Jakarta

Date: November 29th, 2007 |

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The UN Climate Change Conference will be held at Nusa Dua, Bali Dec. 3-14. Security in the area will be tight and hotel rooms nearby will be in short supply. Demonstrations are possible. An ongoing terrorist threat against Western interests exists in Indonesia, and places frequented by foreigners have been targeted in the past. In [read more]

Singapore: Dengue Fever on the Rise

Date: July 4th, 2007 |

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Dengue fever is spiking in Singapore and surrounding countries, with the infection rate similar to that of the dengue epidemic of 2005. This year Thailand has seen more than 11,000 cases and Indonesia 68,000, but Malaysia has the highest infection rate in the region with more than 20,000. Singapore’s rate with nearly 3,000 cases is [read more]

Indonesia: Earthquake Strikes Sumatra

Date: March 7th, 2007 |

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A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the island of Sumatra March 6, toppling hundreds of buildings in Padang and other cities and killing at least 82 people. The epicenter was about 30 miles northeast of Padang. Power was knocked out in many places and aid and rescue operations were under way. It may be many days [read more]