Australia beefs up Bali travel warning
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel warning to Indonesia, including tourist hotspot Bali, because of the high threat of a terrorist attack.
The department’s latest travel advice includes a warning that terrorists remain active in the country.
The advice does not recommend Australians stay away from Indonesia, but it does urge travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in the country
"Indonesian authorities have warned that extremists may be planning to attack churches in Jakarta, and elsewhere in Indonesia, during the 2014 new year period," the travel advice said.
DFAT warns the threat to Australians in Indonesia may reach beyond churches.
Travellers are urged to "exercise particular caution around locations that have a low level of protective security and avoid places known to be possible terrorist targets".
"Terrorists have previously attacked or planned to attack places where Westerners gather, including nightclubs, bars, restaurants, international hotels, airports and places of worship in Bali, Jakarta and elsewhere in Indonesia," DFAT said.
"These types of venues could be targeted again."
There have been several attacks on Western targets in the past, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
In a further warning, DFAT says visitors to Indonesia, particularly to tourist locations such as Bali and Lombok, should be aware of the specific risks from "crime, and from drink-spiking and consumption of alcohol adulterated with harmful substances such as methanol".
Ian Jarrett
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