Bangkok--4 Apr--eTurboNews
Unfazed by issuance of cautious travel advisories by Australia and the US in the last few days, the Indonesian authorities have indicated that Jakarta wasn't under any threat. This statement was supported by the fact that local residents packed Jakarta's shopping malls and entertainment venues, according to local media.
"On March 31, the US Embassy released a message for Americans in Indonesia regarding a "serious terrorist threat" in the country. A similar warning was issued by the Australian Embassy, which later issued a travel advisory for Indonesia. The U.S. Embassy message suggested Sunday as a potential date for an attack. The message stated that terrorists were not only targeting public places where Americans and other Westerners lived, congregated, shopped or visited, but that attacks could also include targeting individual US citizens," reported The Jakarta Post.
On his part, the head of the city police's special security unit, Adj. Comr. Yehu Wangsajaya, said police intelligence reports indicated Jakarta was not under any threat. "I haven't received any corroborating evidence to back up the reported threats," Yehu told The Jakarta Post. "Security measures for key locations in Jakarta are being carried out as usual. There has been no increase in personnel (deployed at key locations." Yehu also said police had not received requests from foreign embassies in Jakarta for increased security measures.
It is being said that the Australian Embassy posted its travel advisory on www.smartraveller.gov.au , saying reports indicated that terrorists were still planning attacks on Westerners in Indonesia. "It stated that terrorist operations could range from kidnappings, hijackings, bombings, suicide operations or other acts of violence, such as drive-by shootings. The travel warning and advisory from the two countries could have a significant effect on tourism in Indonesia," added the report.
A senior adviser to the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies, Meity Robot, told local media that she was concerned the warnings would have a negative impact on Indonesian tourism. "Such travel warnings, especially from the Australian government, could have a significant effect as the number of tourists from that country is second only after Japan," she said.
On its part, the Indonesian government is planning to expand the visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility to combat the declining number of tourist arrivals in Indonesia. The nation struggled in sustaining the interest following the terrorist attacks on the resort island of Bali in October last year.
The government has set a target of 5.5 million foreign tourists and revenues of around US$5.4 billion this year, up from around 5 million tourists last year giving rise to revenue of some $4.9 billion. Apart from expanding the VOA facility, the government would also provide around $7.28 million this year for promoting Bali abroad.