Now that the Bali Bombers are dead (executed last night, or Sunday 11/9 at 00:15 am Indonesia time), I am regretting something. Not that I regret they’re dead, I solely believe they deserved it. But I’m regretting the fact that our family travel plan to go home to Jakarta was cancelled. This year, my plan to bring my hubby, children and my father-in-law to experience Jakarta and meet my biological family was demolished.
As you may know, Indonesia’s always been notorious with travel warning ever since… forever. Umm, let me take that back. Approximately since 1998, if I’m not mistaken. But as an Indonesian, living in Indonesia, in the capital city, Jakarta, I didn’t really see what the hoopla was about. When I was still a citizen of Jakarta, I used to feel frustrated to read about what the international media say about Indonesia, and more spesifically, Jakarta. As an insider, I don’t think Jakarta’s situation was a ‘red alert’ or as scary as they said in the news.
My attitude was forced to change a little bit when I married an American and now have two interracial children. I can no longer say, “Who cares about the travel warnings, it’s usually just to scare you away from going. Nothing bad would happened.” I bet that was not what the casualties from the Jakarta Stock Exchange bombing (2000), the Christmas Eve Indonesia bombings (2000), Bali bombing (2002), JW Marriott’s bombing (2003), the Australian embassy bombing (2004) or again the Bali bombing (2005) would like to hear. An by the way, those bombings were courtesy of the Jema’ah frickin’ Islamiyah. Which lead me to question, why doesn’t the Indonesian government ban J.I. like they do Ahmadiyah?
This year, I was being tested. We had planned, around May this year, to go to Jakarta as our annual family vaation. It was a Mother’s Day present from my kids to me that they’ll join me to go home (originally I was going alone). The excitement was built up, as I, as a mother of half Indonesian children, am longing to bring my children to the place I was born and grew up at. I made detailed travel plan and itinerary on places we’re going to. I wanted them to see and experience the difference of living, eating, studying in two places (Iowa, USA and Jakarta, Indonesia). I announced to all of my families and friends about this and promised to some to meet up and introduce the two parties. My mom was in tears when I called her to let her know about this and how she’s been longing to see and touch her grandkids. I was drooling over thinking all the food and drinks that I’ve missed. Everybody was so psyched.
Until the announcement of the execution came along, and sparked the travel warning again. Most intensively, from the Australian government:
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. The Indonesian Government announced on 9 November that the three individuals convicted for involvement in the 2002 Bali bombing were executed on 9 November. The executions could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters such as demonstrations, acts of violence and reprisal attacks. We continue to receive credible information that terrorists could be planning attacks in Indonesia. You should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security, including where Western tourists gather such as beaches, bars, malls and other venues associated with foreign interests. We continue to receive credible information that Bali remains an attractive target for terrorists. We are aware that many young Australian school graduates may be travelling to Bali in mid-late November and early December. We urge these young Australians and their parents, like other Australians, to exercise heightened caution at this time. Australians should register their travel with the Australian Government on http://www.smartraveller.gov.au and take out travel insurance. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, you should exercise extreme caution. There have been recent arrests of high level terrorist operatives in Indonesia, but we assess terrorists are continuing to plan attacks. These attacks could take place at any time, anywhere, including in places frequented by foreigners. Previous terrorist attacks against Westerners in Bali and Jakarta indicate these areas are priority targets. You should take particular care to avoid places known to be terrorist targets.
Hubby and I got into a hot argument. I was trying to assure him that nothing bad would happen; that the Indonesian authorities made announcement that the threats were just a hoax. Tried to assure him that by the time we got there (late November), those three men would be a dead meat and the situation would winding down. He went berserk. He asked me is I was a 100% sure, that I thought the political experts were just making the travel warnings up and that I would risk our children’s life. That’s when I stopped and finally regain my rationality. Do I really want to risk their life being bombed, kidnapped, or even slightly injured in this situation? Just because my kids don’t look white at all, their father is (along with my father-in-law), and that they both have a big target on his back.
I apologize to families and friends that we can’t meet up with you guys. Melly and Juinita, sorry guys. Maybe next year when I go home alone. Now that we have everything booked for Thailand, I just found out that those bastards were executed and [for now] everything seems to be okay. If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Would you go to a place where some people hate you because of your nationality? Let’s say you have a family in Baghdad or Rwanda, would you go there with your spouse and children? Or are we just whimps?
din, i understand the dilemma. it’s tough but if I were a mother, I wouldn’t probably take the risk too. I’d just schedule it for another year, that if the US doesn’t issue another travel warning of some sort of hoax threats.
Anyway maybe it’s still a good idea to postpone it to a later date just to prove your husband that nothing’s wrong and Jakarta is just as peaceful as you would have expected. Just to be on the safe side
Din,
I would go but would avoid high risk places. As you yourself write above, the threats are mostly hoax.
Last year, summer 2007 I went to Bali with my family. At that time there was also a travel warning issued by Australian government. There were more than 110 possible points of terorrist attacks in Bali. So there we were, enjoying our holiday while nothing happened.
That was my experience, if you have any doubts, don’t go. But if the longing to see your mum is so strong, just go. Consider this as a family visit in Jakarta.
Good luck with any decision you make.
Eva and Yoyen, thank you for your kind support. (Un)fortunately, everything’s settled that we’re not going to Indonesia. My mom and brother are going to meet with us in Thailand, and that’s it. Nobody’s going to Indonesia.
I certainly explained to dear hubby that there are a lot of ways to be safe. But a lot of ‘what ifs’ he questioned that I couldn’t answer or promise. He did apologize for ‘ruining’ this vacation but I kind of see why he’s concerned.
I did say that some Indonesian friends did go home with her white husband and mixed kids, and they’re fine; but again, like he said, just because theyr’e safe, doesn’t guarantee we will and that nothing bad happen to us…
The thing is with terrorists, they could strike anytime anywhere. It might be Bali, Jakarta, Bangkok, KL, Canberra, Sydney, NY, LA…I guess their main purpose is to terrorise people, make people cancel their travel plans included. It’s unfair that we have somewhat let them ruin our everyday life. 😦
I hope you have a good time in Thailand 🙂
Din, actually Australian always has that travel warning or they call it travel advice for Indonesian and in particular Bali, but when they change one only one sentence of it the media will give a big deal of it.
But after the Bali bombers executed they are really serious about the travel warning by reissued some points especially on the great care and extreme caution on places where westerns people usually hang out.
I am worry too because my bf is Australian and he’s working at the Australian embassy, but my American friends who live here seem less worry about the whole situation.
Too bad you canceled Indo trip, I would love to meet you up and have another “land coffee” session 🙂
Oh, so sorry to hear the cancellation of this supposed to be wonderful trip. I could understand your husband’s fear as there are extremists who love to kill other human beings. Still, it’s not bad to go to Thailand, at least they could still see their granny and uncle, and to eat equally yummie food :D.
too bad you should cancel your well-planned holiday to Indonesia. ironically, as Indonesian, my mom still worries about me travelling to bali this week. so I think your decision is acceptable. enjoy Thailand 🙂
One doesn’t take chances with one’s children just for a family holiday. So it’s a tough, but wise decision in my opinion, Diny.
(I, for one, would have been very worried if my baby granddaughter was due for a visit to Indonesia now- fortunately she went there, with her parents, in order to be shown to her Indonesian relatives, a few months ago).
Ariane, you’re right. I personally will not like the idea on terrorists dictate us how to life our life. But when it comes to MY family, MY children, I got to think twice.
My mom was at first devastated to hear that Davi and Dante are not coming to Jakarta this year. But recovered as soon as she hears that we’re meeting up in Thailand.
Ecky, I hope everything will be okay with your Sam. You know, sometimes I do wish that my hubby would be a little less ‘worried’ but I guess he’s just thinking of the kids’ well being. In my years living there in Jakarta, I know that travel warnings could sound nastier than the ‘real life’.
Santi, I sure wish the Indonesian government would do something to this radical group. Is this a wishful thinking? Like I said to my husband, “Honey, I will hold this against your for awhile, but it’s OK. We’ll make the best out of it (Thailand vacation).” I was planning to pout for about a month, and keep rubbing it in. But we’re all good.
QQ: Thanks. I hate to be a whimpy Indonesian. Feeling scared to go back to my own home. But it’s about somebody else’s life now. I can’t be [too] selfish.
Colson: Finally, a point of view from a non-Indonesian. Not that I dis my fellow Indonesians’ opinion. But I was hoping to hear somebody else’s take on this. Yes, I was blinded by the idea of ‘showing my kids off’ to families and friends back home. It was real hard for me to make this decission. But thanks for the consolation.
this explain a lot 🙂 i was wondering and thinking to ask you about the trip. will not make any comment on the decision. it’s made. just enjoy your holiday, din…
Mel, I’m so sorry again. I guess I was overly excited about going back home and introduce my family to the other family and also friends. Like you said, the decission’s made. I’m not a 100% like that decission, but what else can I say?
I think it depends on where you go. You can still fly back to Jakarta and avoid public places (like malls) if you’re concern. Avoid Bali and go to less popular places – Indonesia has tons of them but is too lazy to advertise (Lombok, Manado, Yogya, Semarang, even Garut).
I know the travel warning concerns you but you also understand that usually the embassies take the highest level, extra cautious, approach when it comes to this.
It doesn’t mean there’s going to be road bombs in every corner in Jakarta. It doesn’t mean that people will blow themselves up at anytime any minute.
It’s such a shame that this travel warnings always make Indonesia look 10 times worse than it should be.
Sorry to hear this… but I think the most important thing is your children safety…
Komen apa ya… *sambil cari kamus di lemari*
hi hi hi, maskoko ngasal deh. pake bahasa indonesia juga sok aja atuh…
no worries, Din… you made a good decision. it’s not good to go for holiday with no peace in mind anyway.
i just came back from Bali… was there when the bombers were executed. nothing to be afraid of, but people were in tension…. everybody talked about it… Balinese people are still bitter about it (of course if I were Balinese, I’d too!).
We have like, daily bomb threats at malls and embassies now. Every day.
And you know who does it? Losers and teenagers who have nothing better to do than creating panic and annoying the masses.
It’s starting to piss me off, actually.
If it’s anything, with the travel warning and everything I bet hotel rates and flight fares will drop significantly! 😉
Go some other time and if you do don’t forget to visit Jakarta and kopdar with ME!
Hi mbak Diny, I am personaly have the same dilema. We bought ticket about last April for this December. I’ am afraid of what going to happen after Amrozi and friends executed. Then I told my husband about my feeling, and He decided to go. Even though there were a litle bit worry but I have a strong feeling to see my familly and introduce my husband to my Mom. I wish everything will be alright. thanks
Mer: Thanks for your support. I’m finally accepting the fact that I’m not going home this year. Still sour, but… better be safe than sorry. I would hate it if something bad happened to my kids.
Therry: Well that’s just great. Morons. Thanks to them, the travel warning got crazy. Next year, babe, perhaps around this time (late Nov, early Dec). Kopdar is a must!
Yulis: Halooooo. Have a safe trip for you and hubby.
Hi
Just passing thru
I think travel warnings were designed as a CYA (cover your ass) for the government. They will nearly always be pessimistic in their outlook. Having said that I think your decision not to travel was a tough one with respect to maintaining family harmony.BTW there has been a number of postings regarding the travel warning floating around and I think that this one is the most reasoned by far.
@pj: yes, yes, you nailed it perfectly. how intuitive of you. i didn’t even have to write exactly what went in the argument but ‘family harmony’ was really at stake this year 😉