Indonesia Travel Safety Guide - Jakarta

 I noticed that on various travel platforms, people are very concerned and often discuss safety while traveling.

Before I get into introducing Indonesian food and lifestyle, let me talk about the theft problems I encountered in Indonesia!

I have been to two places in Indonesia, Bali and Jakarta, so I will introduce these two regions. I stayed in Jakarta for three weeks and in Bali for eight days during this trip.

Safety issues in Jakarta

If we compare the safety of Jakarta with Bali, the answer is almost immediate that Jakarta is a bit worse. I'm not sure about other places I haven't been to, so I won't discuss them here.

Tips for avoiding being robbed while traveling

1. Dress like a local

You can observe how locals dress before you go there. It's difficult to make real-time adjustments if you have already prepared your clothes before departure.

2. Don't carry a backpack on your back

Although the concept of "backpackers" is popular, it is not recommended to carry a backpack on your back for safety reasons, especially since it can make you easily identified as a "tourist." It is also not recommended because it increases the risk of theft.

In addition, backpacks are heavy and can be a burden on your waist if you carry them in front of you, which can cause you to tire more quickly. If you are in a crowded place, you will need to hold the backpack in front of you, which can be inconvenient.

3. Crossbody bags are a good choice

Your crossbody bag can be worn close to your body, and you can grab the strap with one hand while walking on the street. When taking photos, you can hang your bag around the photographer's neck.

When choosing a crossbody bag, pay attention to the material of the strap and buckle, and choose a material that is not easy to cut or break.

4. Don't use your phone while walking

As soon as I arrived in Indonesia, a friend shared a story about their phone being stolen before. Little did I know that one day, when we finished dinner, another friend was dealing with work matters and getting ready to drive while eating, when suddenly...their phone was stolen. Fortunately, they reacted quickly and knew about these types of incidents beforehand, so they were able to snatch it back. It was really lucky!

Let me describe the environment where the theft happened. Indonesia is notorious for its heavy traffic. At that time, it was peak dinner hour, and we were eating at a roadside stall. We speculated that the thief was a habitual offender riding a motorcycle around the area, specifically targeting people who were walking and using their phones after eating. If your phone was stolen, given the condition of the roads, it would be impossible to catch up with the thief, and you wouldn't even know who stole it. The chances of getting your phone back were slim. Basically, if you had insurance, you could only file a police report and apply for compensation.

Losing your phone is one thing, but losing your important data, booking information, contacts, business data, photos, and Google Maps is a huge inconvenience.

Now let me explain the gesture of walking and using your phone. If you're someone who's used to typing with your thumb, you need to be especially careful, because when the thief passes by you from behind and pulls on your phone, you basically can't hold on to it. The reason why my friend was able to retrieve their phone was because they had their hand on the phone and were able to pull it back.

After witnessing this incident firsthand, whenever we walk near the road, we remind each other to "put your phone in your bag and hold onto the strap," even on the sidewalk. Be especially careful!

5. Find a local to guide you

Although it didn't happen this time, I heard that a friend lived alone in a hotel. As soon as they walked out of the hotel, they were being watched and were asked for money as soon as they turned a corner.

Where you start from and whether you have locals who speak Indonesian around you may have some impact.

If possible, find locals to accompany you and be friendly to nearby people. Only then will someone help you if you encounter difficulties.

Anti-Chinese sentiment in Jakarta

Many people know that there have been several anti-Chinese incidents in Indonesia, especially the most serious one in 1998. Is there still anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia now?

I personally did not feel any anti-Chinese sentiment from Indonesians. People were friendly while eating, shopping, getting massages, and taking transportation.

If you live or do business in Indonesia, you may be treated differently. For purely tourist purposes, as long as the money is right, everything is negotiable.

In addition, I observed that there is still a clear social hierarchy in Indonesia. Regardless of the Chinese-Indonesian relationship, there are hierarchies among Indonesians, such as those who come from rural areas and those who have received higher education.

I believe that as long as we are friendly and do not have a condescending attitude towards others, saying "thank you" in Indonesian ("Terima kasih") and being grateful can make a difference.