June 1, 2017
The U.S. Embassy would like to remind U.S. citizens in Indonesia that traffic accidents and incidents of crime tend to increase during the month of Ramadan and the subsequent Idul Fitri holiday period. Please keep the following points in mind:
- Practice good situational awareness; remain actively aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded streets and shopping areas.
- Vary your routes and times so as not to be time or place predictable.
- Always carry a cell phone as a means of communication.
- Do not flash money or jewelry, especially if alone; only use ATMs in well-lit areas or in major hotels, malls, or banks.
- Avoid demonstrations or large gatherings, since even demonstrations or marches designed to be peaceful can become violent quickly.
- Stick to reputable taxi companies such as Bluebird Group or Express, since using local buses, “angkot” (i.e., minibus or van buses), or “bajaj” (i.e., local tuk-tuks) leaves you more vulnerable to crime.
- Carry a purse or backpack on or across your body and away from the curb when walking, to mitigate the threat of snatch-and-grab robberies by thieves on passing motorcycles/mopeds; walk with a buddy or in groups whenever possible.
- Do not leave bags unattended (e.g., under tables or on chairs) even briefly in malls or food courts, since thefts of wallets or other items is common; and beware of pickpockets in crowded malls or markets, near public transportation, on pedestrian overpasses, etc.
- If confronted by a criminal, surrender you purse and or wallet – money or possessions are not worth risking injury or worse.
- If actually attacked, make noise to draw attention (i.e., scream/yell, throw things) and fight back with physical aggression (only if you feel your life is in danger); never get into the motor vehicle of an assailant.
For further information about security in Indonesia:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Indonesia Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow us on Twitter @travelgov and Facebook @travelgov.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, located at 5 Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jakarta, at +62-21 3435-9055/9054, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is+62-21 3435 9000, then press 0 for the operator. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy can also be reached by e-mail at jakartaacs@state.gov.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya (https://id.usembassy.gov/) is located at Jl. Citra Raya Niaga No. 2, Surabaya, at +62 31-297-5300, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +62 81-133-4183. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can also be reached by e-mail at SurabayaACS@state.gov.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
