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Indonesia Country Report
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Overview
Executive Summary
The victory of the opposition candidate in the Jakarta gubernatorial election in April 2017 signals that the presidential election in 2019 will probably be tightly contested, and sectarian issues will become more prominent in future elections. However, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo still commands a parliamentary majority and retains a strong public approval rating. The government has focused on expanding infrastructure, reducing red tape, and giving foreign investors greater access. These trends will probably continue for the rest of the government's term, which ends in 2019. However, the government is unlikely to meet its 7% GDP growth target by 2019.
Last update: March 27, 2018
Operational Outlook
The Jokowi government has improved the business environment by streamlining permits, allowing a greater role to the investment co-ordinating agency. It has also attempted to expedite land acquisition, a major issue in infrastructure projects, but any improvement is likely to be slow. It has also amended the minimum wage formula to link it with inflation and economic growth, providing greater predictability. Businesses often complain of high severance payment costs. However, any amendment to the labour laws is likely to take several years due to political resistance within parliament.
Last update: March 27, 2018
Terrorism
The Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the 14 January 2016 attacks on a police post and a Starbucks cafe in Jakarta and probable links to the suicide IEDs at a bus terminal in Jakarta on 24 May 2017 is likely to encourage its sympathisers to carry out further attacks. At the same time, security forces are likely to step up their counter-terrorism operations. The Jakarta 2016 attacks were also notable because they indicate that terrorists are targeting Western-branded businesses. The discovery of high-powered explosives during police raids in late 2016 indicate an increased risk of high-casualty attacks by Islamist militants.
Last update: March 27, 2018
War Risks
China's territorial claims in the South China Sea overlap with the exclusive economic zone of Indonesia's Natuna Islands. This raises the risk of limited confrontation triggered by the presence of Chinese fishing vessels. The maritime border dispute over the Ambalat block with Malaysia is unlikely to result in military conflict. Indonesia and Malaysia have several disputed borders, the most significant of which involves Ambalat. In February 2012, both countries signed agreements to resolve border incursions by each other's fishermen, but talks about the sovereignty issue have not progressed. Strong relations between the two countries point to a diplomatic or legal resolution to the dispute.
Last update: March 27, 2018
Social Stability
Protests and strikes are common in major cities, particularly in Jakarta. They tend to be peaceful, but sometimes lead to unarmed fighting with the police. Protests take place over issues such as wages, labour rights, land ownership, and the environment. Manufacturing‐sector labour unions typically hold protests and strikes towards the end of the year when the annual minimum wage for the following year is decided. Strikes typically last no more than 48 hours but can cause traffic and operational disruption because workers blockade motorways and entrances to industrial zones.
Last update: March 27, 2018
Health Risk
Vaccinations required to enter the country
Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission and over nine months of age.
Routine Vaccinations
Hepatitis A: A vaccine is available for anyone over one year of age. The vaccine may not be effective for certain people, e.g. those born before 1945 and who lived as a child in a developing country and/or have a past history of jaundice (icterus). These people can instead get a shot of immune globulin (IG) to boost their immunity against the disease.
Hepatitis B: A vaccine is available for children at least two months old.
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio: A booster shot should be administered if necessary (once every ten years).
Yellow Fever: A vaccine is available for children over the age of one year.
Other Vaccinations
Typhoid Fever: If your travels take you to regions with poor sanitary conditions (for children two years old and up).
Rabies: For prolonged stays in an isolated region (for children from when they can walk).
Japanese Encephalitis: For stays of longer than one month in a rural zone during the rainy season (for children over the age of one). The vaccine is administered in a local medical facility.
Malaria: Recommended preventive medication (with the exception of a trip to Bali) - mefloquine (sometimes marketed as Lariam) or doxycycline (sometimes marketed as Vibramycin).
For Children: All standard childhood immunizations should be up-to-date. In the case of a long stay, the BCG vaccine is recommended for children over one month and the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine for children over nine months.
Last update: November 28, 2013
Natural Risks
As of early June 2015, Mount Sinabung volcano (Karo district, North Sumatra) has shown signs of major volcanic activity (clouds of burning ash, projections of rock, and lava flows), forcing authorities to evacuate those who live up to 13 km (8.1 mi) from the volcano.
Boating enthusiasts should be aware that acts of piracy regularly occur in Indonesian waters.
Last update: February 13, 2018
Transportation
It should be noted that all means of transportation are affected by generally poor travel conditions. While the entirety of Indonesian airlines was on the EU’s blacklist at one time, in January 2009, the European Commission removed restrictions on Garuda, Mandala, Airfast, and Premiair airlines, citing significant progress in security conditions.
On June 9, 2015, Indonesia waived the entry visa requirement for French tourists.
Last update: February 13, 2018
Telecommunications
Last update: February 13, 2018
Practical Information
Climate
Indonesia's climate is tropical with high levels of humidity and relatively stable temperatures.
There are two seasons: the wet monsoon season from November to March (abundant rain) and the dry monsoon season from April to October (dry winds). Temperatures are constant throughout the year along the coast and in low elevation zones (between 25°C and 30°C). Temperatures are lower in mountainous regions.
Useful Numbers
| Country Code: | +62 |
| Police: | 110 (or 911 in Bali) |
| Fire Dept.: | 113 |
| Ambulance: | 118 |
Electricity
Voltage: 127/230 V ~ 50 Hz
Outlets:
Last update: December 9, 2013
