The Australian Government has issued a new travel advisory for Indonesia, following deadly major protests in areas like Jakarta and Bali.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) raised its overall travel warning for Indonesia to level two, citing security and safety risks.
“Large protests with potential to escalate into violence and property damage are occurring across major cities in Indonesia, including Denpasar, Bali, causing disruption and impacting local traffic movements,” DFAT wrote on its Smartraveller website.
“Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates,” DFAT wrote. While DFAT has told travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia”, it has not recommended cancelling planned trips.
The travel advisory also cites risks of drowning at unpatrolled beaches and volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, following a series of eruptions in August.
Protests in Indonesia began in Jakarta in late August, sparked by a IDR50 million (A$4,660) housing allowance provided to members of parliament. This is almost 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage.
These demonstrations have become increasingly violent after police drove an armoured vehicle into a group of protestors near the country’s parliament, killing a ride-share driver at the site.
A wave of protests also took place earlier in August against property tax increases of up to 250%, as Indonesia’s government imposed austerity measures.
At least 10 people have been killed, 1,042 hospitalised, and 3,337 arrested in cities across Indonesia amid the protests, according to the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation.
Bali has not seen an increase in booking cancellations or a drop in tourist arrivals during these protests so far, according to Indonesian Travel Agencies Association chairman Putu Winastra.
Indonesia was the most popular destination among Australian travellers in June, representing 16% of all short-term return trips taken by Australian residents.
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