Indonesia

Bali

Indonesia: Bali Police Chief Urges Foreigners to Watch for Crime

Date: April 7th, 2010 |

Bali’s police chief advised foreign tourists to remain vigilant against crime, citing statistics showing that the rate of crimes targeting foreigners has increased in recent years. Such statistics are relative, however, as the number of reported crimes against tourists in 2009 was 293, up from 205 the previous year. Police have increased security at popular [read more]

Indonesia: Terrorist Cells Remain Active

Date: December 23rd, 2009 |

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A counterterrorism official said Dec. 21 that terrorist cells remain active in Indonesia despite successes in the battle against home-grown terrorists, including the killing of Noordin Top, the mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings and the July 17 attacks on Jakarta’s JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels. The official said the cells continue to recruit members [read more]

Indonesia: Earthquakes Devastate Sumatra’s Padang

Date: October 1st, 2009 |

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Two earthquakes struck the island of Sumatra Sept. 30, toppling hundreds of buildings in Padang, including the main hospital and airport terminal, and severing the communications and power networks. Initial reports estimated as many as 200 dead, but officials feared the toll could be in the [read more]

Indonesia: Jakarta Hotel Bombings Show Westerners Are Still Targets

Date: July 22nd, 2009 |

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Two suicide bombers detonated explosives in two Jakarta hotels popular with foreigners July 17. The bombings killed nine people, including the attackers, at the J.W. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels. The attacks were the first in Indonesia in four years and are a reminder that terrorism remains a threat despite the government’s success in apprehending and [read more]

Indonesia: NGO Says Individual Islamists Still a Threat

Date: May 27th, 2009 |

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The International Crisis Group, a non-governmental organization dedicated to helping governments prevent deadly conflict, reported that individual Islamist extremists remain a threat in Indonesia despite the weakening of the radical Islamist group Jemaah Islamiah through improved policing and anti-terrorism policies. The report assessed the impact of charismatic individuals on otherwise non-violent activists and concluded that [read more]

Indonesia: Bali to Close March 16 for Nyepi, Day of Silence

Date: March 3rd, 2010 |

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The island of Bali will effectively shut down March 16 to observe the Hindu holiday of Nyepi, a day of silence and reflection when virtually no one goes outside, no music is played, no work is done, no travel occurs, no fires are lit and lights must be kept low. Many people fast and say [read more]

Indonesia: Rabies Cases Cause Concern on Bali

Date: October 7th, 2009 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta reported that several hundred Indonesians in Tabanan Regency, Denpasar and surrounding areas on the island of Bali were given rabies vaccinations after several people were bitten by dogs suspected of carrying the disease. Officials confirmed three deaths but there have been no cases involving foreigners. Travelers should avoid dogs or [read more]

Indonesia: Police Take Over Security at Jakarta Hotels

Date: July 30th, 2009 |

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In an effort to prevent more terrorist attacks at Jakarta’s luxury hotels, Indonesian police took over security at 33 of the capital’s five-star hotels. These businesses are deploying bomb-sniffing dogs at their entrances, adding security on all floors, and buying explosive-detection devices. Indonesia’s president vowed to tighten security throughout the country. The two hotels damaged [read more]

Indonesia: Spiked Homebrew Likely Killed 25 in Bali and Lombok

Date: June 3rd, 2009 |

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Twenty-five people, including four foreigners (one American) died recently after drinking homemade brew called arak on the islands of Bali and Lombok. The arak appeared to have been spiked with methanol, or wood alcohol, to make it stronger. Alcohol is heavily taxed in Indonesia making liquor expensive, which has created a large black market and [read more]

Indonesia: Rainy Season to Bring Flooding

Date: February 5th, 2009 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta advised visitors that the rainy season is about to start and areas of the country, including the capital city Jakarta, are prone to flooding during the heaviest rains. Some precautions to take when traveling at this time are to let someone know your destination, keep your gas tank three-quarters [read more]