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General Information |
Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands with a population of more
than 200 million, scatterd over a land area of some 2.02 million square
kilometers. Lying across a region of immense volcanic activity, Indonesia has
some 400 volcanoes, with at least 70 still active.
Bahasa Indonesia is the official language. English is frequently used in
commerce. The people are predominantly Muslim, minority religious groups being
Christians, Hindus and Buddhists.
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Immigration |
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The Department of Justice and Human Rights
has officially determined that as of 1 February 2004:
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The Free Visa Facility (length of stay
max. 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the following
countries: Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Morocco, Chile, Peru.
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The Visa-on-Arrival Facility (length of
stay max. 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the following
countries: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway,
Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United
Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States.
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Citizens of countries not stated above
are required to apply for a visa at the Indonesian
Embassy/Consulate in their country of domicile.
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Climate
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Although Indonesia is hot and humid throughout the year, the official wet season
runs from October to August and is marked by heavy, short rainstorms after which
the air is fresher. Temperatures range from 21 to 33°C in the lowlands. Higher
altitudes enjoy cooler conditions. |
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Airport Tax and Transport
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Passengers departing on international and domestic flights have to pay Rp.
50,000 and Rp. 11,000 airport tax respectively.
Metered taxis are available only at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport,
Jakarta. At other major Indonesian airports, taxis operate on a fixed rate
basis.
From Jakarta airport, all taxi fares include a surcharge of Rp. 2,300 and a
highway toll of at least Rp. 4,000, depending on destination. The surcharge does
not apply to trips to the airport, though the highway toll does. In both
directions, airport taxis offer a 25 percent discount on the toll fee.
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Customs
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On entry to Indonesia, each adult is allowed to bring in tax-free a maximum of
one liter of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of
tobacco.
Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and
sport equipment are admitted provided they are taken out of the country on
departure. They must be declared to Customs. Prohibited are firearms, narcotics,
pornography, Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers and cordless
telephones. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must be screened by
the Censor Board.
There is no restriction on the movement of foreign currencies or travellers
checks in and out of the country. However, the import and export of Indonesian
hard currency exceeding Rp. 5 million is prohibited.
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Communications
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Long-distance telephone calls within Indonesia are by direct dialing.
International Direct Dialing (IDD) is available in all 26 provincial capitals
and in more than 320 cities throughout the country. For the business travellers,
facsimile, telex and email services are available in most hotels and at service
outlets.
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Currency
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Exchange facilities for the main foreign currencies are available in banks
or at authorized moneychangers in major cities of Indonesia. Rupiah comes in
denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 500 and 100 in bank
notes, and 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 coins.
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Time
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Indonesia is divided into three time zones. Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra,
Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead of GMT, Central
Indonesia Time (Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara) is
eight hours ahead, and East Indonesia Time (Maluku and Irian Jaya) is nine hours
ahead. |
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Electricity
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50Hz at either 110 or 220
volts |
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Office hours
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Most government offices are open from 8 am to 3 pm. On Fridays, they close at
11:30 am. On Saturdays, they are open until 2 or 3 pm.
Business offices open from 8 am or 9 am to 4 pm or 5 pm. Some work half day on
Saturdays. Banks open from 8 am to 3 pm on weekdays. Banks are closed on
Saturdays. Money-changers open longer hours till the evening.
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BAHASA INDONESIA
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Indonesia is united more than anything else by its common language Bahasa
Indonesia, which uses romanised script. The millions of people who live on
the nations many thousands of islands, each with its own local language or
dialect, are able to communicate effectively using their national Bahasa. As a
traveller, being able to speak a few words of Indonesian will assist you in
your endevours to get around, and will certainly endear you to the local
people you meet.
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Greetings and civilities
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Good morning - Selamat Pagi
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Good afternoon - Selamat Siang
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Good evening - Selamat Sore
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Good night - Selamat Malam
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Goodbye - Selamat Tinggal
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How are you? - Apa Kabar?
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I am fine - Kabar Baik
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What is your name? - Siapa nama anda?
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My name is... - Nama saya..
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Nice to meet you - Senang berkenalan dengan anda
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See you later - Sampai jumpa lagi
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Goodbye (said to people leaving) - Selamat jalan
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Goodbye (said to people staying) - Selamat tinggal
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I do not understand - Saya tidak mengerti
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I do not speak Indonesian - Saya tidak mengerti bahasa
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General
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Yes - Ya / Tentu
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O.K. - Beres
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No / not - Tidak / bukan
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Thank you - Terima kasih
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You're welcome - Kembali
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Please - Tolong / Silakan
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Please help me - Tolonglah saya
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Excuse me - Permisi.
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Sorry - Ma'af
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What time is it? - Jam berapa?
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This - Ini
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That - Itu
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Dari mana? - Where have you just come from?
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Tuan asal dari mana? - What country are you from?
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Mau ke mana? - Where are you going?
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Be careful / attention - Hati Hati
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