Job Discussion Forums

[Hed_Kandi]

What is the current safety situation for teachers in Indonesia ???

[gugelhupf]

Wow that's quite a question given the vastness and diversity of this country, and the scope for interpretation of the word 'safety'. Firstly the definitely unsafe stuff: don't go to Aceh as a tourist and don't go to the Poso area of central Sulawesi or basically anywhere in Maluku. These areas are in the throes of civil war or emergency and while these are not your wars you may become caught up in them. So avoid.

Now the other side of the question. I have lived in West Sumatra for 6 months and apart from a bit of seismic activity offshore lately I have felt VERY safe indeed, with serious crime much lower than in my home town in the UK and the threat of terrorist activity very much lower. The same probably applies to much of provincial Indonesia.

OK, so you're not in Kansas, Dorothy, but so long as you show a bit of respect and understanding for local culture and beliefs you'll get along fine. Like many capital cities Jakarta suffers more problems than in the provinces but in my own opinion western travellers are far too paranoid about safety even here. There are places and neighbourhoods worth avoiding but in general pollution, traffic congestion and general ugliness are far greater issues than personal safety.

[guruengerish]

Well, I'm a great believer in thinking positive, and I never really felt unsafe in Indonesia, except possibly when confronted by someone short-cutting at a traffic roundabout.

However, a few years ago, when there was some stupid 'sweeping' by radicals in Solo, we in Jogyakarta wondered if we should be worried or not. That evening, a number of police arrived at the teachers' house, and advised us that the Sultan of Jogyakarta had issued instructions that foreigners were not to be hassled.

The police gave us their mobile phone numbers, and reassurred us that they'd be there in a flash if there were any problems.

I was most impressed, and we never did have a problem.

[Chester]

www.thejakartapost.com
read about life in indonesia for yourself

[Chester]

I have heard that the action will heat-up during the months of aug and sep. traditionally the BIG bomb periods.
I am leaving before then.

[willy]

about as safe as New York city, well, + a few bombs and demos here and there, alomost that time of year agean.

[Chester]

Bomb threats today.
I told you so...
lets hope other stuff going around is not true.