BRITS heading to Bali have been hit with a major safety warning after violent riots swept across Indonesia leaving seven people dead.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, warning of the risk of unrest and terror attacks, after street battles between police and protesters erupted across the country.
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The chaos erupted after anger over lavish new perks for MPs boiled over, sparking the worst violence Indonesia has seen in years.
Protests have spread from the capital Jakarta to cities across the archipelago, with mobs torching regional parliament buildings, looting and clashing with police.
Three people died in Makassar after protesters set fire to a parliament building.
Meanwhile, ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan, 21, was run over and killed by a police vehicle in Jakarta – sparking outrage nationwide.
A student was also killed in Yogyakarta, and an elderly pedicab driver died after inhaling tear gas in Solo.
Jakarta’s health office confirmed 469 people have been injured since the violence began, with nearly 100 hospitalised.
President Prabowo Subianto admitted he was “shocked and disappointed” by the killing of Kurniawan but has ordered police and the military to take the “firmest possible action” against rioters.
“There are signs of unlawful acts, even leading to treason and terrorism,” he warned.
Rehayu Saraswati, a member of the ruling party, admitted the protests had come as “quite a surprise.”
She told the BBC: “I don’t think any of us saw this coming. It happened very, very quickly within a matter of days.”
But she rejected claims the government had been tone deaf, adding: “We understand that the situation is difficult, and that the economy has been quite, I would say, challenging for some people.
“The recently announced cuts to the parliamentary budget and allowances are a way to show that we are listening.”
Demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails and firecrackers at police in Bandung, while thousands more took to the streets in Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Sulawesi.
Soldiers have been deployed in Jakarta, with snipers positioned in key areas, checkpoints set up, and schools forced to close.
The UN has urged Indonesia to investigate claims of “disproportionate force” by police.
But protest leaders say government concessions – including scrapping the controversial allowance and banning overseas trips for MPs – don’t go far enough.
Muzammil Ihsan, head of the country’s biggest student group, said: “The government must resolve deep-rooted problems.
“The anger on the streets is not without cause.”
Analysts have warned the unrest poses the first major test for Subianto’s presidency and could shake investor confidence, with Indonesia’s stock index slumping more than three percent on Monday.
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Brits warned
The UK Foreign Office is urging holidaymakers to steer clear of protests and large gatherings, stressing that demonstrations can quickly spiral into violence.
In its updated advice, the FCDO said: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Indonesia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.
“Potential targets can include beach resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants, markets and shopping malls, tourist attractions, places of worship, foreign embassies, polling stations, ferry terminals and airports.”
Travellers are also being told to stay alert during national holidays, religious festivals and elections, when the terror threat is heightened.
Beyond the unrest, Bali carries its own risks.
Officials highlight reports of sexual assaults, drink spiking, methanol poisoning from counterfeit alcohol, and bag-snatching in tourist hotspots.
Visitors are advised to watch drinks being prepared, avoid home-made spirits, and only buy alcohol from licensed outlets.
The FCDO also flags petty crime and scams.
Tourists should carry only essentials, keep passports and bank cards secure, and use registered taxis such as Bluebird, Silverbird or Express — checking drivers carefully against app bookings.
Officials underlined that no trip is risk-free, adding: “Read all advice carefully and ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance.”
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