Indonesia
Indonesia, a chain of thousands of islands between Asia and Australia, is highly ethnically diverse, with more than 300 local languages, as well as the world’s largest Muslim population. The people range from rural hunter-gatherers to a modern urban elite.
The Dutch, who consolidated their hold over Indonesia’s various kingdoms over two centuries, eventually united the archipelago about 1900. After Japan's wartime occupation ended, Sukarno, the independence movement's leader, proclaimed independence in 1945. The Dutch formally transferred sovereignty in 1949 after an armed struggle.
Indonesia has seen great turmoil in recent years, having faced the Asian financial crisis, the fall of President Suharto after 32 years in office, the first free elections since the 1960s, the loss of East Timor, independence demands from restive provinces, bloody ethnic and religious conflict and a devastating tsunami.
Long-term leader General Suharto came to power in the aftermath of an abortive coup in 1965. He imposed authoritarian rule while allowing technocracts to run the economy with considerable success. But his policy of allowing the army to become involved in all levels of government down to village level fostered corruption. His "transmigration" programs - which moved large numbers of landless farmers from Java to other parts of the country - fanned ethnic conflict. Suharto fell from power after widespread rioting in 1998 and has so far escaped efforts to bring him to justice for decades of dictatorship.
Post-Suharto Indonesia has made the transition to democracy. Power has been devolved away from the central government, and in September 2004, former army general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won Indonesia's first-ever direct presidential elections, unseating the incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri. The election was hailed as the first peaceful transition of power in Indonesia's history. Yudhoyono, a former security minister in the Megawati government, promised to fight corruption, rejuvenate the economy and tackle separatist conflicts. The president identifies the fight against terrorism as a key challenge. As security minister he spearheaded operations to capture Islamic extremists blamed for the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings.
There are tensions between the central government and the country's regional governments. Several provinces are demanding secession, encouraged by East Timor's 1999 success in breaking away after a traumatic 25 years of occupation. In addition, the distribution of oil and gas revenues between the central government in Jakarta and regional governments in energy-rich areas have been regularly disputed. Since Indonesia's transition to democracy in 1999, the country's regional governments have been pressing for a greater share of oil and gas revenues. In particular, the separatist movement in Aceh continues to cause security problems for oil and gas companies in that region, despite the government's energetic offensive against the separatists.
Militant Islamic groups have flexed their muscles over the past few years. Some have been accused of having links with al-Qaeda, including the group blamed for the Bali bombings of 2002 which killed 202 people.
Lying near the intersection of shifting tectonic plates, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In late 2004, a powerful undersea quake sent massive waves crashing into coastal areas of Sumatra, and into coastal communities across south and east Asia. The disaster left more than 220,000 Indonesians dead or missing.
As a founding member of ASEAN, Indonesia has traditionally been seen as the lynchpin of the organization. Indonesia is keen to promote good cooperation with ASEAN countries, particularly on trade and on regional issues such as piracy and smuggling. This co-operation was strengthened following the tsunami, with ASEAN countries being among the first to provide assistance to Indonesia. Despite disputes with some ASEAN countries, including Indonesian illegal immigrants in Malaysia and territorial disputes over the Amblat Islands, relations remain strong. President Yudhoyono's first official visit after taking office was to Malaysia and Singapore in February 2005.
Indonesia has made significant efforts to improve its relations with East Timor. The relationship was boosted by President Megawati's decision to attend East Timor's Independence Day celebrations in Dili in 2002, despite significant opposition from members of parliament, and President Yudhoyono's visit in April 2005. During this visit, Yudhoyono signed a provisional border agreement with East Timor's Prime Minister Alkatiri, overcoming one of the obstacles to closer relations with East Timor. Indonesia and East Timor have established a bilateral Truth and Friendship Commission to address the issue of human rights abuses committed during Indonesia's time in East Timor.
Relations with Australia have improved significantly since Indonesia's involvement in events in East Timor and the Australian decision to provide troops for the UN force in East Timor in 1999. Cooperation between the two countries has increased rapidly since the Bali bombings and following the tsunami, with Australian military, medical and aid personnel heavily involved in both the initial humanitarian relief and longer-term recovery of Aceh.
There remains a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia, against domestic targets as well as Westerners and Western interests. Over the past three years, domestically targeted bombings have struck religious, political and business targets. In 2003, the Jakarta international airport, an open-air concert in Aceh, and other Indonesian government facilities were bombed.
Foreigners, and locations and buildings frequented by foreigners (including embassies), continue to remain attractive potential targets to terrorists. The attacks in Bali in October 2005 and October 2002, and those in Jakarta on the Australian Embassy in September 2004 and the Marriott Hotel in August 2003, show that terrorists have the means and the motivation to carry out successful attacks. The extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which has links to al-Qaida, is thought to have been responsible for the Bali bombings in October 2001 and 2002.
Demonstrations are common and usually peaceful, but can easily turn violent and should be avoided. The arrests and trials of terrorists in Indonesia can prompt strong reactions from their supporters, including acts of violence. Three men were sentenced to death in August 2003 for their part in the October 2002 Bali bombings. If confirmed and implemented, their execution may give rise to violent demonstrations. Developments in Iraq and on the Middle East peace process can also spark protests, as can state visits.
Avoid all travel to Maluku, particularly Ambon. Violence in Ambon has resulted in a number of deaths and serious injuries. The situation in Maluku and North Maluku remains unsettled.
Avoid all travel to Central Sulawesi Province. There continues to be intermittent violence and sporadic sectarian clashes in this area. In September 2006, three Christians were executed for their involvement in a sectarian attack in Central Sulawesi in May 2000. The executions caused a brief period of rioting in Central Sulawesi, West Timor and Flores Island. In late December 2005, a bomb explosion in Palu, Central Sulawesi resulted in at least eight deaths and 46 injured. In October 2005, a group of Christian schoolgirls were attacked near Poso in Central Sulawesi. Three schoolgirls were beheaded and one injured. At least 21 people were killed in two bomb attacks in a market in Tentana in May 2005.
Aceh is emerging from a long running internal conflict, and travel there is disadvised. A peace agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed on August 15, 2005. Although substantial progress has been made in implementation of the agreement, there remains a risk of sporadic violence and armed clashes. In July 2006, one person was killed and another injured in a shooting incident in Lhokseumawe. The coastal areas of the province of Aceh and some parts of North Sumatra suffered widespread casualties and damage in the 2004 tsunami, and the infrastructure is still heavily damaged. Caution should be exercised at all times and in all parts of Aceh, especially outside Banda Aceh. Travel after dark is particularly risky. In June and July 2005, there were two incidents of foreign aid workers being shot at while traveling by car at night. If traveling to Aceh to engage in humanitarian or reconstruction work, be sure to do so only in conjunction with a well-established and reputable organization that has permission to operate in Indonesia, has a security plan approved by the Indonesian authorities, and is actively linked to the local security advice of the UN Office for Crisis and Humanitarian Affairs in Banda Aceh. All agencies and donors working in Aceh must register with the Indonesian Government’s BRR office in Banda Aceh. Regulations regarding entry into and permission to remain in Aceh can change at any time. Note that there have been incidences of Sharia (religious) police harassing foreigners in Aceh.
In Papua, political tensions have given rise to outbursts of dissent and sporadic violence. If traveling there, seek local advice and avoid large crowds and demonstrations, as elsewhere in Indonesia. Papuan separatists have kidnapped foreigners in the past, most recently in 2002. There remains a small but significant risk. Permits are required to travel there.
The capacity of the Indonesian emergency and rescue services to deal with large natural disasters is limited, and there are several sources of potential natural disasters. Indonesia is subject to notable seismic activity. During the rainy season (December-March), flash floods and more widespread flooding occur regularly. Landslides, sometimes exacerbated by deforestation, occur in rural areas during the wet season. There are numerous volcanoes in Indonesia, any of which can erupt without warning.
Local transport poses safety and security concerns (see also “Transport” and “Crime” below). There is considerable advantage in hiring a car with a driver and this is not especially expensive. When using taxis, always have the hotel or restaurant call a taxi for you. Never hail a taxi on the street. Reliable taxi services in Jakarta include Bluebird and Silver Bird among others.
Be aware of Muslim sensibilities. Westerners have occasionally been harassed by fundamentalists in bars and nightclubs, particularly around major Islamic holidays such as Ramadan. Claiming to act in the name of religious or moral standards, certain extremist groups have, on occasion, attacked nightspots and places of entertainment. Most of these attacks have sought to destroy property rather than to injure individuals. These groups have on occasion threatened to mount hunts for Americans and members of certain religious groups to demand they leave the country.
Piracy is a concern (see “Transport”).
Exercise prudence when scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling, and when visiting remote tourist locations, and be aware that local fishermen in coastal waters off Sumatra may use explosives to facilitate catching quantities of fish, although this practice is illegal in Indonesian waters.
