Personal security in Indonesia

Morumbi97 · 09-19-2008, 09:09

I work for a geothermal power development company and we just partnered with Indonesia Power to develop a 300MW project. I've been there twice for short trips this year, but now may be spending a lot of time there or possibly moving my family. Our operations will be in West Java in Jakarta (adminstrative HQ) and near the provincial capital, Bandung (operations). I'm heading up the operation for our company and need to make a recommendation to our board on personal security requirements.

I am familiar with JI and their history there. Any opinions or advice? Thanks.

Mike

**Team Sergeant** · 09-19-2008, 09:23

I would not entertain the idea of bringing my family to such a country. I've spent some time there.

This is a country where the people "are" afraid of their gov and military and for good reason.

About 90% muslim..... good luck.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/id.html

Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008)

Chris Cram · 09-19-2008, 12:44

TS,
looks like your URL slipped: https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/id.html

Morumbi97 · 09-20-2008, 10:43

TS - thanks for the response and link.

hoot72 · 09-23-2008, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morumbi97

TS - thanks for the response and link.

There is also a big problem with Hep B and C, on top of issues with malaria and dengue fever. Jakarta is fine, as there is a pretty big expat community there. Bandung is no different from Jakarta.

If you can afford it, and this is just an IF, move your family to Singapore (1 hour plus flight to Jakarta from there), and operate out of Jakarta and Bandung and fly back to singapore on friday's and be back for work on Monday's.

That is what a mate of mine is doing at the moment, and has been doing for the last 3 months.

He makes more than enough to fly back 3 times a month so its no big issue for him and his company was fine with it (they pay him an allowance for a bungalow, which he is now using to pay for the apartment they rent in singapore, while he shares a house with 2 other co-workers in jakarta).

Money may be an issue for this but if you are getting paid well, this is something to maybe consider..

Indonesian food is bloody brilliant though

and so are the ladies

Morumbi97 · 09-28-2008, 08:26

Thanks hoot. We are considering such an arrangement.

Books · 09-30-2008, 13:24

+ 1 on the Singapore option. The nation has an outstanding first world infrastructure and easy access to the rest of SE Asia. . . if you can afford it.

optactical · 10-03-2008, 12:28

Indonesia is as much a Muslim country as the US is a Christian one, don't let statistics scare you into thinking it's any different, the President is a woman after all, try that in Saudi Arabia. TBS, you do have to watch your back, it's not the most secure place.

frostfire · 10-03-2008, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by optactical

the President is a woman after all

she is the president no more https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...indonesia.html
IIRC, he's quite a moderate

hoot72 · 10-04-2008, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostfire

she is the president no more https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...indonesia.html
IIRC, he's quite a moderate

But a former general (corrupted) who was part and parcel of the atrocities in East Timor. In indonesia, the politicians don't rule. The military, smartly it must be said, do so from behind the scenes. They carry more weight than anyone in running the country.

As do the police.

But yes, he is a moderate and business friendly.

I have been to Jakarta a number of times and speak the language and never had/have any problems to be honest; Indonesians are decent people but there is a small minority who are fundamentalist radicals and an even smaller percentage who believe and preach terrorism.

Morumbi97 · 10-04-2008, 13:37

Thanks everyone. I'm going back in the near future to assess things. Your input has been helpful. I also ran into a friend from 19th Group HQ who has some pertinent experience and information. Again, thanks.

optactical · 10-06-2008, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostfire

she is the president no more https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...indonesia.html
IIRC, he's quite a moderate

Thanks for the update