The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a travel warning cautioning Australians to avoid certain areas of Indonesia after protests in the capital of Jakarta reportedly killed six people.
“Indonesian authorities advised there remains an increased risk of violence, including possible acts of terrorism,” DFAT said on the Smartraveller website.
#Indonesia: We’ve reviewed our travel advice & included new information. The advice level remains the same. Exercise a high degree of caution. Avoid protests, demonstrations & rallies as these can turn violent without warning. #be informed #beprepared. https://t.co/bgShBIax2O
— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) May 22, 2019
Violent riots broke out on the evening of May 21, following official announcements from the General Elections Commission (KPU) on the results of the Indonesian presidential election, which declared President Joko Widodo a winner. The riots carried on into the next morning, during which six people were confirmed to have died, while at least 200 others were injured.
Protests continued in the afternoon and into the evening of May 22, though thankfully there have been no reports of additional casualties from last night’s clashes between rioters and riot police. The Jakarta Metro Police have arrested 257 people alleged to have provoked and then taken part in the post-election protests.
Australians are warned to “exercise a high degree of caution” in Indonesia overall, including Bali. They are advised to stay alert to personal security and to monitor local media for latest information and updates.
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