My daughter and her boyfriend are going to visit his dad in Jakarta, Indonesia...Will it be safe for her?

Question

His family lives there and he wants to visit them for about a month and then they will come back...With the war going on do you all think she will be safe? She is Going on 19 and her parents can't tell her that she can't go...He is Indonesian and she is white...We are worried to death because we know nothing about those foreign countries....Please respond ...Thank you very much....Ellen

Answer 1

I see alot of other people assumed that you thought there was a war going on in Indonesia. No, that's not what she means. She means, because there the US is engaged in a war in a Muslim country, Iraq do we think that will put her daughter in any danger in Indonesia the world's most poplated Muslim country, am I right?
I think it's a fair question. And if anyone looks on the US Embassy's website, I'm sure there is still a travel warning from time to time. But....
you really do NOT have to worry.

Number one, she is not travelling alone.
#2. She is travelling with a male, Indonesian.
Remind them if his family can not "jumput" them at the airport
then it is best that they buy the "tarif" taxi directly where they are going to his dad's house. That way the taxi can not drive them around all day. It is a fixed rate taxi at the airport and it is based on the area of town that they are going to.
Once they reach his Dad's or his family's they will be WELL taken care of I'm sure.
It would be good if she doesn't already, for her to learn a few Indonesian pleasantries like Terima Kasih = thank you and Selamat Siang, Selamat Pagi=Good Morning Etc. This will heavily impress her hosts and make them very happy.
Don't forget to send your daughter with a gift from YOU to your daughter's boyfriend's parents. Something small but meaningful will endear your daughter to them. And if someday the kids marry will endear you to them. Please take my advice. I know Javanese well, I have been married to one for 17 years.

Answer 2

Hi Ellen,
I know how worry you are about your daughter, since you have never been to Jakarta. And the news you have heard about Jakarta probably were when there's some bombing, or some terrorist activities here.
I have lived in Jakarta for over 6 years now. And I can tell that it's not as scary as people over the world thought! Really! There really is no war in Jakarta. Jakarta is just a regular metropolis city with some crime.
However there are these few safety tips:
1. When taking taxi, make sure that they take only BLUEBIRD taxi or SILVERBIRD taxi.
2. Never wear any expensive jewellery.
3. Dont use your cellphone while on the street/in the cars(specially when stucked on the red light)
Those are the only tips i can think of right now.
Theres this website that you can read more about jakarta
http://www.jakartaexpat.com
quite informative and helpful. you may want to check it out.

Answer 3

I've been travelling the last 7 years and have settled in Jakarta, I am from England and my wife is Indonesian. There are quite a few westerners over here and a very healthy and happy ex-patriate population. Visit www.expat.or.id for more information. I can tell you that in all honesty I feel safer here than in any other city I've been to. The worst thing that has happened to me is a few taxis taking me on longer journies than they should have! (Hint: Tell her to use Bluebird taxis only) Usual "City" rules apply ie. She shouldn't go wondering the streets by herself, be polite to the locals etc. I'm sure she'll have a trip of a lifetime.

My Mother came over here for my wedding late last year with all kinds of worries about it being a muslim country, what she should and shouldn't do, and how best not to offend anybody. She soon realised that Indonesians are amongst the most friendly people on earth. The first thing she did on return to the UK is start to organise her return trip!

Answer 4

Please, dont worry about that. I am an indonesia, and i am sure she will be safe. It is not war, it just little discrimination that is going on. she is a foreigner, and it is true that people are aware about that, but your daughter also knows the fact about indonesia. she is a mature woman now, and she can think about it and act according to the information she got. mother, she will be back to you without any damage.. :) She will be with the boyfriend, right? So, may be you can speak to him to help her to be careful, and to tell her the safe place to do window shopping. may be you can ask him to ask some friends to help her when she is out. it will be a big help for her. :) i have a friend, western, and he really doesnt care about the information, and you know what... he has been in jakarta for looong time, and he is still there. :) the information that you got, mostly from the news and from the newspaper... Mother, what they wrote, is something that is usually terrible.. but, when there are peace, love...they wont write. Indonesia is now peaceful, but still you can get down on your knees and pray for your daughter safety. mother, your prayer will be heard.
more information: tell your daughter not to take taxi anywhere...but taxi from hotel only!! and also, dont stop in the stoplight...i mean...if there are many cars.. it is ok, but if there are not a lot of cars and in the night, she has to be careful. :) because there are a lot of burglar in the stoplight! :)

Answer 5

Dear Ellen,
Jakarta is in Island of Java, what you see in CNN is maybe POSO a place in another island called Sulawesi very far away.
Jakarta is like other Metropolitan cities you have to be care full for pick pockets, and maybe it is good not to go out until late at night, no war maybe some demonstrations but its normal.

Just make sure that her boyfriend has to take care of yr daughter , know where unsafe places are and respect her as they normally does to Indonesian girls not because she is American ( if you know what i mean).
I am a mother of one daughter.

Answer 6

I just left Jakarta after living there for almost two years. I can honestly tell you that in most respects I feel safer there than in Sydney (where I'm from).
Terrorist acts can happen anywhere and you can't really plan to avoid them and Jakarta is safe in all other respects.
Also there is no war in Indonesia now.

Answer 7

Hi. This is interesting because I am white and I am going to jakarta in a month with my girlfriend who is from there.

All of her friends and family whom live there year around said it is fairly safe. Just be mindful to your surroundings. The fact that she is going with a native will make it much safer. The world is not safe anywhere. Indonesians in general are very kind people.

Answer 8

I have visted several Indonesian islands and met people from Jakarta and Surabaya. The Indonesians are much more moderate than the Middle Eastern Muslims. They are friendly and have pretty much the same interests as you and I, children, jobs and family security.

While a big, crowded city like Jakarta certainly has its risks, it is unlikely to be much riskier than Chicago or New York. With her boyfriend and his family looking out for her, it should be great experience.

Answer 9

we just returned from Jakarta a couple of months ago. most of places in Indonesia are safe and very nice to travel to which you should someday so you will get the idea of the country and the people instead reading and hearing bad news :)

we wish your daughter and the bf a good travel to Indonesia!

Answer 10

Hi there,
I'm from Bandung Indonesia. which isn't far from Jakarta.. n by the way there is no war in Indonesia.. n I'm not gonna say it's totally safe.. coz it's not.. that is the reason I'm living in Australia...

but it's a nice place.. I wouldn't worry to much.. my parents just head back there 2 weeks ago.. they said it's fine.. n apart from the humid weather.. everything is fine..