Activism Change

Travel Warning Bali/Indonesia

Question:

I am in Bali at the moment. It remains safe for tourist . I saw flag of parties are everywhere and I am think off to buy one of them for souvenier. NAWA

Response:

i was in indonesia (east java for one month and bali for 3 months) and that was in august of ‘98.  there were travel advisories when i went and i had my anxieties but when i got there, it was very safe.  i talked to a lot of the locals (practicing language skills) and they voiced a big concern about people’s reluctance to visit bali because indonesia is in such bad shape and because of the upcoming elections.  my first day in bali was during the PDI conference where there were big fears of violence.  none.  bali is a BIG moneymaker for indonesia.  the island has a lot of lose if violence does break out and they lose tourists.  believe me, the balinese will do all they can to keep bali safe. i believe that of any place in indonesia, you’re most safe in bali and if violence does occur, it will be in the non-touristy places, like denpasar – mostly in forms of protests and demonstrations.  i highly doubt any tourist will find their safety compromised. oh, incidentally, there was violence in bali when i was there, but it wasn’t on CNN or in the papers back in the states.  mostly, the violence was limited to villages and among individuals.  if you’re in the touristy places like ubud, kuta, sanur or others, you are in the safest part of indonesia. if you do go, have a lovely time.  and try the "makanan padang".  i wake up in the middle of the night craving it.  only 6 more months ’til i go back… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m considering a trip to Bali in early July.  I checked the State Department for travel warnings and found the following.  It seems to suggest that there may be trouble in Bali.  Any comments on this will be appreciated.  As of now, we will not go based on this warning. Doug Skokna STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL WARNING: "There have been frequent demonstrations throughout Indonesia, including in the capital city of Jakarta and on all the major islands. Civil unrest, sometimes resulting in violence, has also occurred in some areas. There was serious rioting in Jakarta in May and November, 1998. Elsewhere in Indonesia sporadic and unpredictable violence has sometimes disrupted the plans of American travelers. The prolonged serious violence in Ambon and Maluku province in late 1998 and continuing in 1999, as well as the recent violence in West Kalimantan, underscores the volatility of the situation throughout Indonesia. Political changes have also reinvigorated separatist movements in East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh, which could fuel further unrest in those regions. In some parts of the country large American firms associated with high visibility projects recently have been the targets of demonstrations and threats of violence, as well as incidents of trespass and vandalism. Although demonstrations in Bali have not affected tourists, serious unrest has occurred in isolated areas and is possible elsewhere on the island. Indonesian security forces have sometimes not responded effectively to incidents of unrest. The political and economic situation is unsettled and is likely to remain so leading up to the June 7 parliamentary elections and the selection of a new president a few months later. With political campaigning planned to begin officially in May there is an increased likelihood of demonstrations and unrest throughout Indonesia in coming months. American citizens should consider carefully whether to travel to Indonesia during this period. Although the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and Consulate General in Surabaya plan to be open for normal operations, many Americans normally resident in Indonesia are choosing to depart the country at or prior to the completion of the school year in May, and to remain out of the country through the election period and its immediate aftermath. American citizens in all parts of Indonesia should exercise prudence and common sense, and avoid demonstrations and other situations that could turn violent. Although individual U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, the Department recommends that travelers exercise caution. Travelers and residents should ensure that passports and important personal papers are in order in the event it becomes necessary to leave the country quickly. Americans should remember that much of the country, including many tourist destinations, can be isolated and difficult to reach by available transportation or communication links. The Department of State encourages American citizens considering travel to Indonesia to review carefully the information available in the State Department

Filed under: Political campaigning

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