Indonesia Country Report

The Republic of Indonesia is a transcontinental nation and archipelago in Southeast Asia. It is the world's largest Muslim-majority country and the fourth most populous. Since the end of authoritarian rule in the late 1990s, Indonesia has experienced substantial economic and political progress, propelling it to become the largest economy in the region. Growth has been primarily driven by its extractive and agricultural sectors, but corruption, weak rule of law, and sectarian friction remain major obstacles to the country's continued development.

Opportunistic crime is the primary threat to travelers. Terrorism remains an enduring concern despite considerable efforts by authorities to reduce the threat posed by extremist groups over the past decade. In addition, the country has an active protest culture and strong unionization levels, resulting in regular bouts of civil and labor unrest that can cause significant disruptions.

Several parts of Indonesia are susceptible to powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while much of the country is vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon season. Access to healthcare is limited outside of major urban centers, and the proliferation of counterfeit drugs is a concern.

The main threat to travelers stems from opportunistic crime which is prevalent in Indonesia's main population centers. There is also a localized conflict threat stemming from an armed insurgency in the Papua and West Papua regions, whilst violent incidents resulting from communal and sectarian conflict occasionally occur in other parts of the country. There is an enduring threat of terrorism in Indonesia, despite significant efforts by local authorities to disrupt local extremist groups and in recent years, attacks have targeted major urban centers such as Jakarta and Surabaya.

There are some concerns over air travel.

Road travel is considered hazardous due to several factors.

Indonesia's ports are relatively inefficient.

Several provinces remain without a stable power supply. However, most cities are known to have reliable mobile phone coverage and Internet connections, although the latter's average speed is one of the slowest in Southeast Asia.

Cyber-crime is slowly becoming a concern.

Indonesia lies in a seismically active region and is vulnerable to destructive earthquakes as well as volcanic activity. Coastal areas are also at risk of being hit by tsunamis. Similarly, rain-triggered floods and landslides are common in many parts of the country during the monsoon season. In addition, haze resulting from forest fires is an annual concern in various parts of the country.

Indonesia experiences several diseases and health threats yearly, particularly vector-borne conditions like Japanese encephalitis. Vaccines before travel are also required, for example, for yellow fever. Healthcare service delivery is limited outside urban centers; however, essential health services are available and accessible. Cash payment is required upfront for all health services rendered. Treatment for specialist health needs and emergency services will require travel to Australia or Singapore. Tap water is unsafe for consumption.

Indonesia has a stable political regime and there are no major threats to the current Joko Widodo government. However, high levels of corruption in the public sector and weak rule of law also remain enduring problems.