Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report: Jakarta

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                  Jakarta

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in
Jakarta. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in
Indonesia. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Indonesia page for original OSAC reporting,
consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector
representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses
Indonesia at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism, civil unrest,
and natural disaster. Reconsider travel to Central Sulawesi and Papua due to civil unrest. Review OSAC’s
report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Jakarta as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at
or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Jakarta is one of the largest, most densely populated cities on earth, with a population of over ten million
inside city limits. The greater Jakarta area, encompassing also Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi
(known locally as “Jabodetabek,” combining the first letters of each jurisdiction) constitutes the second-
largest urban area in the world, after greater Tokyo, with more than 30 million residents. Crime remains
a concern, but did not significantly affect the U.S. community in 2019, perhaps due to elevated security
awareness. Many U.S. private-sector organizations have active security briefing programs, with dedicated
security professionals who stay current with respect to the latest criminal trends. Considering the size of
the official and private U.S. communities (current estimates reflect approximately 15,000 U.S. citizen
residents and visitors at any given time), there were relatively few reports of crimes against U.S. citizens
in 2019 in Jakarta. The general crime rates on a per capita basis should be viewed in context, as Indonesia’s
crime rate is lower than crime rates reported in many large cities in the Western Hemisphere.

Crime Threats

Through several sources, the Regional Security Office (RSO) has gathered statistics for Jakarta, outlining
criminal activities and trends. Due to the reluctance of many Indonesians and expatriates to report crimes,
these statistics may reflect a degree of under-reporting, and RSO cannot confirm Indonesian National
Police recordkeeping methodology. The Jakarta Metropolitan Police reported the following specific
statistics per category for 2019: 34 homicides; 37 rapes; 650 aggravated assaults; 1,279 robberies; 479
arsons; and 1,138 vehicle thefts. Each of these categories except arson (+6%) and rape (+13%), reflected
a statistically significant decrease from 2018 reported totals; and overall, Jakarta Metropolitan Police
reported 3% fewer crime incidents in the city in 2019 compared to the prior year (32,614 total reported
crime incidents, down from 33,628), and 98% crime clearance rate for 2019.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                Jakarta

Indonesian criminals are normally reluctant to use force, and usually do not harm their victims unless
confronted with violence. Violent crime does occur, however, and sometimes attracts significant media
attention. In the first half of 2018, there was a perception among some Jakarta residents, including some
expatriates, that either crime was increasing or that criminals were becoming more violent, especially
motorcycle-borne criminals. A CCTV video from West Jakarta showing a mugger on a motorcycle snatching
a cell phone or bag from a female motorcycle taxi passenger (while both were driving fast) went viral in
July; the incident caused the victim to fall from the motorcycle and die from head trauma suffered when
her head bounced on the road and helmet flew off. Shortly before that, motorcycle-borne criminals
robbed an Indonesian government official bicycling in Kota Tua, the former heart of Dutch colonial Batavia
frequented by domestic and foreign tourists. Whether real or anecdotal, this perception led to police
cracking down aggressively in the weeks before the Asian Games.

Personal and snatch-and-grab robberies are the most common type of crime, and have occurred regularly,
including against expatriates. There was one incident involving a U.S. Embassy employee and a small
number involving expatriates in 2019. These semi-confrontational robberies and attempted robberies
typically involve one or two males on a passing motorcycle or moped attempting to grab cell phones,
backpacks, bags, or jewelry from individuals riding other motorcycles or walking / waiting near the
sidewalk edge. In some cases, these robbers work as part of large criminal syndicates based in greater
Jakarta neighborhoods. A small number of Embassy-affiliated personnel also suffered residential
burglaries or had wallets stolen from bags in crowded areas, such as mall restaurants.

Use of disreputable and freelance taxis can also result in one falling victim to crime. The most common
scenario involves the driver taking the passenger(s), usually female, to a remote area where other males,
occasionally armed, rob them of jewelry, cell phones, money, and any other items of value. In some
instances, criminals demand ATM pin codes or drive victim to an ATM and force him/her to withdraw
cash. There were occasional reports in 2019 of foreigners sexually assaulted by taxi or other car service
drivers, in some cases involving victims who were already under the influence of alcohol, and more
frequently there were reports of unwanted touching, groping and/or males exposing themselves to
women, often as they pass by on motorcycles. Visitors should use reputable taxi companies for
transportation, and be aware that “bajaj” (i.e., open-sided Indonesian tuk-tuks present in some urban
areas), “angkot” (i.e., unmarked van buses that ply major streets and can be hailed in some urban areas),
or other forms of public transportation leave one more vulnerable to crime. U.S. Embassy employees and
family members avoid these in favor of reputable taxis for transportation purposes.

Pickpocketing affects local residents and visitors alike, most frequently occurring in crowded areas like
the mass transit system, markets, and/or pedestrian bridges. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should
Leave Behind

Drink-spiking and subsequent robbery, either by females in hotel rooms or male companions en route to
hotels, also occur occasionally; no such reports involved U.S. Embassy personnel in 2019.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

Credit/debit card crime continues to be a concern. The bulk of this type of crime involves dishonest
employees of smaller businesses and/or restaurants copying details of the card or swiping it through a
"skimmer," enabling them to make fraudulent cards with valid credit card numbers. Police have reportedly
broken up multiple theft rings that had installed skimmers on ATMs in tourist-friendly areas such as Bali,
in some cases operated by Eastern European nationals. The volume of such reports in 2019 remained
consistent with previous years. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers
& Fraud and Taking Credit.

Organized crime remains a problem that local authorities have not effectively addressed, though it also
tends not to affect expatriates. Illegal logging/fishing, human trafficking/prostitution, the sale of illicit and
counterfeit drugs, and extensive corruption continues as well. In some instances, the prosecution of
individuals accused of these crimes is unsuccessful because of payoffs and/or bribes to corrupt officials,
including judges.

Indonesian police (INP) and drug investigators (BNN) maintained aggressive rhetoric against drug criminals
and continued to target them very intensively in 2019. In 2019, Jakarta Metropolitan Police reported an
11% decrease in narcotics arrests (5,231 arrests in 2019, down from 5,844 in 2018). As Indonesia boasts
the world’s fourth-largest population, it is a significant consumer of crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy,
and cannabis. Indonesia also serves as a major transit point for methamphetamine smuggled to Australia
and New Zealand. BNN and INP officers continue aggressively targeting of drug-trafficking suspects;
President Joko Widodo has called for strong enforcement measures to address the ongoing drug
emergency in Indonesia. In July, President Widodo signed a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) that elevated
the BNN chief to the rank of a minister and granted the agency more financial rights.

Visitors should note that crime in Jakarta and throughout Indonesia increases before and during the
Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. This is reportedly due in part to the pressure of providing gifts for
family members and obtaining money for the Eid Al-Fitri holiday.

Areas of Concern

No areas of Jakarta or other major metropolitan areas are officially off-limits to U.S. government
personnel, but there are areas in which the chances of becoming a victim of a crime are greater.

Block M in South Jakarta is associated with bars and nightclubs of dubious reputation at which prostitutes,
drugs, and criminal activity are present. Those expatriates who visit Block M should remain extra vigilant.
Police also reported in 2018 and 2019 that South Jakarta (e.g., Kemang), a largely affluent area with
international schools and multinational corporations in which a large number of expatriates reside, had
become an increasingly attractive target for criminals and motorcycle gangs. The Ancol Port area and
other areas, such as Glodok, in North Jakarta are popular for their bars and nightclubs, and have a higher
crime rate than other areas of the city.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

Several establishments in North Jakarta are off-limits for U.S. government personnel due to confirmed
high incidence rates of crime, drugs, and prostitution: these include Colosseum, Crown, Illigals (aka 108
the New Atmosphere), Malioboro, Paragon Club, Stadium Lounge, Sun City, and V2 Karaoke. On multiple
occasions in 2018 and 2019, police and counter-narcotics agency investigators raided nightclubs and
tested all staff and customers for evidence of drug use, arresting patrons and staff who tested positive
and usually temporarily closing the venue.

Check the Country Specific Information for Indonesia before traveling to Central Sulawesi, Papua (the sole
two provinces to which travel by U.S. government personnel is restricted), and Aceh. These areas have
the potential for increased crime, civil disturbance, and political violence due to ethnic, religious, and/or
separatist tensions. Sharia law is enforced for Muslims residing in Aceh province.

Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM
Skimmers & Fraud, Taking Credit, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security.

Cybersecurity Issues

Internet fraud is on the rise in Jakarta as internet use continues to grow. False news stories are an
increasing problem in Jakarta and throughout Indonesia, the spread of which accelerates due to the
widespread use of social media. Current, accurate statistics are hard to obtain, but Indonesians are among
the most prolific users of social media. In 2018 President Widodo elevated the rank of the Head of National
Cyber and Cryptography Agency (BSSN) to Minister-level, which gave the agency more resources to
combat cyberattacks, strengthen security of Indonesian government and commercial information
technology infrastructure and stop the spread of misinformation the has fueled political unrest in the past.

In 2019, several U.S. citizens were victims of internet scams originating in or having a nexus to Indonesia,
mostly involving social media phishing and fraudulent stories about distressed Americans in Indonesia
needing money. Other scams involve invitations sent to social media influencers or filmmakers to travel
to Indonesia on scouting trips for their media projects, during which scammers significantly overcharged
for hotels, transportation, and other costs.

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi,
Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Visitors will find Jakarta traffic conditions extremely difficult because of massive congestion, undisciplined
drivers, and numerous motorcycles/scooters. Additionally, the flow of traffic is on the left side of the road,
which adds to some newcomers’ initial frustration and confusion. The number of vehicles, estimated to
increase by 10% per year, far exceeds the capacity of roadway infrastructure, although Jakarta has
improved on the “TomTom Traffic Index” from being the fourth-most congested city in the world in 2017,
to the seventh-most in 2019. Road safety awareness is very low, and many drivers, especially
motorcycle/scooter drivers, disregard most traffic laws. Road conditions vary from good to dangerously
poor. Accidents on rented motorcycles constitute the majority of expatriate deaths in Indonesia,
especially on the resort island of Bali.

Indonesian toll roads are modern, multi-lane, and well maintained, but often overcrowded. Most roads
outside of the major cities are single-lane and congested, with a variety of vehicles from tractor-trailer
trucks to small scooters. It is common for vehicles to pass on either side of the road, or shoulder, while
driving at a high rate of speed and swerving to avoid colliding with bicycles or horse/oxcarts. Avoid driving
at night outside of major cities.

President Jokowi’s administration has prioritized road infrastructure and built many new roads, but
because of Indonesia’s unique and dangerous driving conditions and limited parking facilities, the majority
of western expatriates and affluent Indonesians hire personal drivers. All rental car companies offer
drivers; RSO strongly recommends that travelers consider hiring personal drivers from a reputable
company. If using a taxi, Blue Bird and Silver Bird registered taxis have proven reliable. Always ensure the
taxi driver uses the meter and knows where you are going. Notify someone if traveling outside Jakarta.

Travelers in Indonesia, especially in rural/remote areas, must exercise due diligence in confirming that
travel agencies, tour companies, and rental drivers are legitimate. Serious vehicle accidents have
occurred, injuring U.S. passengers who had contracted with unverified tour companies. The negative
consequences of potential accidents increase due to the remote location of many of Indonesia’s most
scenic areas because of the difficulty in obtaining medical care quickly.

If a motor vehicle accident involving personal injury occurs, Indonesian law technically requires both
drivers to wait for the arrival of police. Ambulance services are mostly unavailable, and unreliable to
transport injured persons to hospitals. As a result, victims usually use taxis/private vehicles to transport
auto accident victims. Although Indonesian law requires third-party insurance, many drivers are
uninsured; even if they are insured, it is common for insurance companies to refuse to pay damages.
Authorities will likely hold the driver of the larger vehicle liable in an accident.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving
Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                Jakarta

Public Transportation Conditions

While mass transit platforms such as Jakarta’s subway (MRT), commuter rail lines, and intercity trains are
safe and well maintained, pickpockets and non-confrontational theft can be a problem, particularly on
crowded local minibuses (“angkot” or “mikrolet”). As mentioned above, visitors should use reputable,
registered taxi companies like the Blue Bird Group, which vet their drivers and have been responsive to
U.S. Embassy inquiries and requests. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public
Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Indonesia experiences frequent transportation accidents, including plane crashes and non-fatal runway
overruns. Since 2016, Indonesia has maintained a Category 1 rating from the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration, following compliance by the country’s civil aviation authority with International Civil
Aviation Office (ICAO) standards.

Other Travel Conditions

In 2019, there continued to be serious accidents involving inter-island ferries, multiple of which resulted
in deaths and injuries. Overcrowding on ferries is common, regulation lax, safety equipment often missing,
and adherence to safety standards often minimal.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Jakarta as being a HIGH threat location for terrorism directed
at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Several members of terrorist organizations in Indonesia, including Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Jema'ah
Ansharut Daulah (JAD), trained at al-Qai’da bases in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the 1980s and 1990s.
Many of those individuals are now imprisoned or dead, but JAD, JI, and other pro-ISIS terrorist groups and
sympathetic individual extremists continue to aspire to commit attacks, especially against Indonesian
police and security forces, Government of Indonesia (GOI) facilities, and/or western interests. The U.S.
Embassy in Indonesia restricts travel by its employees to the provinces of Papua and Central Sulawesi.
Armed insurgents remain active in some remote areas of Papua province; and a joint police-military task
force continues to pursue a small number of Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT) terror group members
active in the mountains outside Poso, Central Sulawesi province.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

Although Indonesia applied sustained pressure to detect, disrupt, and degrade terrorist groups operating
within its borders, JAD- affiliated cells and ISIS-inspired individual extremists were able to carry out
multiple attacks targeting police in 2019. On March 12, the wife of an arrested terrorist detonated an
explosive device during a police search of her home, killing herself and her child. On June 2, an ISIS-inspired
terrorist attempted to kill police officers by detonating his suicide bomb in front of a central Java police
station. On October 10, an ISIS-inspired attacker and his wife stabbed and severely wounded the
Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and a police officer from the minister’s
protection detail at a public event in Pandeglang. On November 13, a JAD suicide bomber disguised as a
motorcycle delivery driver detonated an explosive device vest at the police headquarters in Medan, killing
himself and injuring four police officers and two civilians.

On July 3, President Widodo signed Presidential Decree No. 42/2019 to formalize the Special Operations
Command (Koopsus TNI) in the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). Koopsus comprises 500 personnel from
military special operations forces, including the Detachment 81 Counterterrorism Unit (Gultor) of the
Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus), the Jalamangkara Detachment (Denjaka) of the Navy, and the Bravo 90
Detachment (Denbravo) of the Air Force’s Special Forces Corps (Korpaskhas). Indonesia will adopt an
implementing regulation to define the role of Koopsus TNI and how it will complement Police Special
Detachment 88 and the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT).

In July 2018, the courts indicted JAD as a terrorist organization, and officially banned it on July 31. Police
and prosecutors can now arrest and try extremists for any links with, or support to, the group. Police
arrested more than 281 terrorist suspects in 2019 and convicted two suspects, while 42 remain on trial.
Corrections officials took steps to improve terrorist prisoner management with the opening of a super-
maximum prison for high-risk convicted terrorists on Nusa Kambangan Island in Central Java.

The central government established the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) in 2010, a major step
toward enhancing law enforcement efforts and countering violent extremism. BNPT is responsible for
coordinating interagency prevention efforts, international programs, and counterterrorism operations.
BNPT manages the nation’s counter- and de-radicalization programs, both of which are whole-of-
government efforts.

Despite these successes, violent extremist networks and terrorist cells remain intact and have the capacity
to become operational and conduct attacks with little or no warning, as do lone wolf-style ISIS
sympathizers. INP has limited resources in terms of its ability to monitor extremists, including returned
foreign fighters and former convicted extremists released from prison.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

In 2019, U.S. Embassy Jakarta experienced 16 protests directly targeting the Embassy (an increase from
13 in 2018) and related to issues such as the U.S. involvement in Venezuela, Indonesia’s importation of
trash from the United States, and workers’ rights in the context of globalization. The largest
demonstration held in front of the U.S. Embassy in 2019 attracted an estimated 600 participants for May
Day. Most of the anti-U.S. demonstrations attracted fewer than 50 participants in 2019.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

Most Indonesians view U.S. nationals and other expatriates in positive terms, though there are isolated
pockets of anti-western sentiment (and widespread anti-Chinese prejudice).

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Jakarta as being a HIGH-threat location for civil unrest directed
at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Multiple demonstrations typically occur in Jakarta each day, the majority of which related to labor/wage
disputes or corruption. In 2019, greater Jakarta experienced 3,545 demonstrations, according to Jakarta
Metropolitan Police statistics. Common areas for protest activity include National Monument (MONAS)
Square, City Hall, the Presidential Palace, various Ministries or the headquarters of other government
organizations such as the police (INP) or anti-corruption commission (KPK), the Hotel Indonesia traffic
circle, and the U.S. Embassy (by default, as protesters frequently pass by the embassy compound en route
City Hall and/or the Palace).

While the great majority of these demonstrations are peaceful and police presence is normally sufficient
to maintain order, protests have occasionally become violent, particularly when involving issues at the
confluence of religion and politics. On May 21-22, protestors clashed with police after the General Election
Commission officially announced President Widodo had won reelection. The protests, which turned into
rioting, caused a reported six deaths and 200 injuries. The government announced that an additional
12,000 TNI personnel from outside Jakarta would support the over 40,000 joint security personnel
currently deployed in the city. From September 23 to October 28, student led protests broke out in several
Indonesia cities against the new laws reducing the authority of the Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) and several proposed laws. The protests resulted in standoffs between the protestors and police
and involved the throwing of rocks, petrol bombs, and fireworks by protestors, and the deployment of
tear gas and water cannons by police.

Avoid demonstrations and protests, since even those intended to be peaceful can become violent (and
since participation in political activities violates the terms of Indonesian visas issued to foreigners). Review
OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Localized political violence and civil unrest due to ethnic, sectarian, religious, and separatist reasons is a
possibility in the vast Indonesian archipelago. Papua has small but growing separatist groups, which
include a small number of armed guerrillas and Papuan activists. On August 19, deadly riots occurred the
provinces of Papua and West Papua as a reaction to violent incidents involving Papuan students in East
Java earlier that week. Rioting spread to several cities in eastern Indonesia, but Papua and West Papua
experienced the most violent incidents, with rioters setting up roadblocks on major streets and burning
buildings, resulting in 33 deaths. In December 2018, armed separatists killed one Army soldier and 19
government contractors (road workers) whom they accused of being military personnel in disguise, a
significant escalation in the scale of deadly violence.

In Jakarta and other cities with sizeable ethnic Chinese populations, there are occasional incidents and
concerns related to latent anti-Chinese sentiment, sometimes reportedly motivated by economic
jealousy, or linked to the belief that large numbers of Chinese workers are entering Indonesia and taking
jobs that would otherwise go to Indonesian citizens.

Late in 2018, there were a number of highly publicized incidents of possible discrimination against
Christian communities in different cities, including claimed interference with churches by neighboring
Muslim communities, desecration of grave markers, etc. Human Rights Watch commented that such
discrimination against religious minorities is sometimes facilitated by government officials or police who,
for example, refuse to issue permits for Christian churches or to pursue charges against those who
persecute religious minorities.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Indonesia is geographically located on the "ring of fire;" there are minor, and sometimes major, volcanic
eruptions in the archipelago every week. Indonesia has more volcanoes than any other country in the
world, with 127 active volcanoes. Indonesia has deployed an effective volcano monitoring system, which
has enabled the government to inform the population about potential eruptions and to direct evacuations
that reduce casualties. Significant volcanic activity occurs on Java, Sumatra, Halmahera, Sulawesi, and
Sangihe islands, on the Sunda Islands, and in the Banda Sea.

In addition to volcanic activity, there are earthquakes and other natural disasters, including flooding,
landslides, tsunamis, and tornadoes (the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported 1,339
tornadoes in 2019). On August 2, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Java. Tremors felt
in Jakarta, Bandung, and other parts of Java and Sumatra caused buildings to sway and widespread power
outages for many days. In September, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Seram Island in Maluku, near
the provincial capital of Ambon, causing damage to over 6,000 structures and 41 deaths. According to
BNPB, there were 3,721 separate natural disaster events in Indonesia in 2019, which displaced more than
6 million people, killed 477, and injured 3,415.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                 Jakarta

According to the BNPB, extreme meteorological and climate events caused 99% of disaster events in 2019.
During the rainy season, floods and mudslides can wreak havoc in many areas, including Jakarta. In March
2019, for example, flash floods in Papua Province resulted in 112 deaths and 82 missing persons, as well
as significant property damage. In late December, heavy downpours in Greater Jakarta caused flash floods
that left at least 61 people dead and nearly 400,000 displaced. In general, the rainy season lasts from
December to March, though this varies. Western and northern parts of Indonesia experience the most
precipitation, since the north- and westward-moving monsoon clouds are heavy with moisture by the
time they reach these more distant regions. However, flooding can occur in some parts of Jakarta even
though there is no rain in the immediate area, with water coming from mountainous areas in the south.
Every year throughout Indonesia, extreme flooding and mudslides displace, injure, or kill significant
numbers of Indonesians, especially in rural or remote regions. Fires, particularly in Sumatra and
Kalimantan, are also an environmental threat to human life, property, and health, with increased risk
during dry season. In 2019, fires destroyed more than 940,000 hectares of forests and peatlands,
generating hazardous haze in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore that disrupted flights, canceled schools,
and resulted in significant health impacts.

Economic Espionage/Intellectual Property Thefts

Indonesia remained on the Special 301 priority watch list due to the reported lack of adequate and
effective intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and enforcement and access to U.S. innovators in
2019. Indonesia’s failure to protect intellectual property and to enforce IPR laws has resulted in high levels
of physical and online counterfeiting and piracy. U.S. rights holders also face unfair and inequitable market
access in Indonesia. Positive steps included Indonesia’s efforts to address online piracy through their
support of industry-led efforts to develop an Infringing Website List to help advertising brokers and
networks avoid placing ads on such websites. Indonesia issued implementing regulations after becoming
party to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of trademarks.

The GOI has signed and ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization internet treaties, but further
clarifications of its Copyright Law are needed in order to fully implement these treaties.

Drug-related Crimes

Indonesian Customs, INP, and BNN stationed at the air and seaports of major cities (i.e. Jakarta, Surabaya,
Bali, and Medan) continued to struggle with maritime interdiction and border control issues inherent in
policing more than 17,000 islands. As a result, Indonesia has been a major transit point for smuggling
methamphetamine from Malaysia to Australia and New Zealand. With over 260 million people,
Indonesians have become significant consumers of crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cannabis.
According to Indonesian authorities, the country has become a primary destination for drug smuggling
operations controlled by Chinese, Taiwanese, Iranian, and West African drug trafficking organizations. In
2019, partnerships and information sharing contributed to multiple bilateral operations, resulting in the
seizure of 615 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 18,000 ecstasy pills. BNN stated publicly that
there were currently 76 drug cartels in Indonesia. In addition to an increase in methamphetamine
seizures, law enforcement officials have identified and seized large volumes of synthetic drugs (e.g.,
ecstasy and ketamine) and organic and synthetic marijuana. The demand for illegal drugs remains high;

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                  Jakarta

and INP and BNN continue to coordinate with other foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies to
attempt to stem the steady flow of illegal drugs.

Authorities may impose the death sentence in cases involving drug trafficking; multiple convicted
traffickers have been executed in recent years, including foreign nationals.

Kidnapping Threat

There were only six reported kidnapping cases in Jakarta in 2019, which had no impact on the expatriate
community. These kidnappings were typically financially motivated, and the perpetrators were familiar
with the victim and victim's family. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Piracy

According to the International Maritime Bureau, from January to September 2019, there were 20 piracy-
related incidents reported by Indonesia, a reduction from 2018. The continued decrease in piracy
incidents comes due to coordinated patrols with the Malaysian and Philippine militaries in the Sulu and
Sulawesi Seas, and increased information sharing between partner countries. Most piracy incidents in
Indonesian waters are now reported to be opportunistic (for example, against isolated fishermen or
anchored ships), as opposed to larger-scale organized attacks against oil tankers.

Police Response

Police have limited capabilities to respond to criminal acts and other emergencies. They lack sufficient
transportation capability to respond quickly on a consistent basis; and corruption continues to be a
problem. Some officers augment low salaries by accepting payments from motorists who violate traffic
laws. Police sometimes charge victims to investigate crimes or to return recovered stolen property. A very
low percentage of trained investigators, along with limited training and investigative ability make solving
complex crimes challenging. Skills are improving, however, due to programs offered by the U.S.
International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), Anti-Terrorism Assistance
Program (ATA), FBI, DEA, HSI, and the Bangkok-based International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), as
well as other foreign partners.

Authorities may expelled, arrested, or imprison those violating Indonesian laws, even unknowingly.
Criminal cases can take months or even years to resolve; and authorities may hold suspects without
charges for up to 60 days, and in many cases, longer. Conditions in Indonesian jails and prisons are harsh
and do not meet western standards. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking illegal drugs in
Indonesia are severe, including the death penalty. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison
sentences and hefty fines. The sex industry, including the commercial exploitation of children, is
widespread and is a key focus of law enforcement efforts. Engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, using
or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country, including Indonesia, constitute crime
prosecutable in the United States.

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                Jakarta

Any detained U.S. citizen should call the Embassy at +62-21-5083-1000, and ask for the Duty Officer.
Remain calm and consider the advice, assistance, and information provided by the Embassy Consular
Officer. Consular Officers are often able to visit detainees/arrestees expeditiously.

Crime Victim Assistance

Obtain police assistance by dialing 110 or 112. In most cases, the person answering the call will have
limited English-language ability and the volume of calls may result in the line being busy. Visitors,
especially those who are going to remain in Indonesia for an extended period, should find and program
into their cell phones the general cell phone and landline phone numbers for the police station nearest
them in the event of an emergency. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Police/Security Agencies

Indonesian National Police (INP/POLRI): The INP, headquartered in South Jakarta, handles day-to-day
traffic operations, criminal investigations, and protection of vital property and personnel. INP’s Mobile
Brigade performs SWAT-like and riot or crowd control functions; and its Special Detachment 88 (Densus
or Det 88) is the country’s elite counterterror force. With approximately 450,000 personnel, INP
constitutes the second-largest civilian police force in the world.

National Anti-Narcotics Agency (Badan Narkotika Nasional/BNN): BNN deals with nationwide narcotics
issues under the leadership of a two-star police general. BNN is Indonesia’s equivalent to the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA).

National Counter-Terrorism Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terorisme/BNPT): BNPT is a
national level civilian counterterrorism agency under the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and
Security Affairs. BNPT coordinates interagency efforts to eradicate terrorism and works closely with
Detachment 88 in its counterterrorism efforts.

Medical Emergencies

Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S.
Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health
insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance
overseas. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Indonesia.

Embassy employees (and many private U.S. citizens) normally travel to Singapore for treatment of serious
medical conditions.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?,
Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad

Indonesia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report:
                Jakarta

OSAC Country Council Information

There is an active OSAC council in Jakarta. To reach the OSAC East Asia-Pacific team, email
OSACEAP@state.gov.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

U.S. Embassy Jakarta is located at Medan Merdeka Selatan 2-5, Jakarta 10110.

Open 0730 - 1600 Monday-Friday (closed for U.S. and Indonesian holidays).

Website: https://id.usembassy.gov/

Embassy Contact Numbers:
Embassy Operator: +62-21-5083-1000
Marine Post One: +62-21-5083-1755
American Citizen Services Section: +62-21-5083-2268
State Department Emergency Line: +1-202-501-4444

Other U.S. Diplomatic Posts in Indonesia

    •   Consulate Surabaya, Jl. Citra Raya Niaga No. 2, Surabaya 60217
    •   Consulate Medan, Uni Plaza Building, 4th Floor (West Tower), Jl. Let. Jend., MT Haryono A-1,
        Medan 20231
    •   Consular Agency Bali, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 310, Denpasar 80235, Bali

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

    •   Indonesia Country Information Sheet
    •   OSAC Risk Matrix
    •   OSAC Travelers Toolkit
    •   State Department Traveler’s Checklist
    •   Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)