Carry identification on you at all times

Don’t go anywhere without your passport or ID (Kartu Ijin Tinggal Sementara or Residents Stay Permit) as you travel throughout Indonesia. Your passport must have six months validity on it otherwise you won’t be allowed into the country. Make sure you keep your passport in a safe place, however, as pick pockets are common in Indonesia – they know you have to carry identification on you at all times. It might be advantageous to purchase a money belt, and even to keep a photocopy of your passport locked in your safe in your accommodation.

Refrain from gambling

Gambling, aka punting, is illegal in Indonesia. That’s because, for the most part, gambling is run by gangs. However, you’ll want to avoid gambling anyway, as a lot of the games are rigged so foreigners end up owing lots of money. If you lose and are unable to pay, the gangs won’t hold back from violence to settle the debt. Worst of all, because gambling is illegal, you won’t be able to seek help from the authorities. Approaching them could get in further trouble as you’ve engaged in an illegal action in the first place. To help you stay safe, note that gangs typically target single males travelling alone.

Don’t Do Drugs

This is not a general, corny message on posters. This is a real, practical, life-saving tip when travelling to Indonesia. Recreational drugs are not only illegal in Indonesia, they are considered a highly serious and nasty criminal offence. Possession and distribution of drugs are punishable up to the death penalty, and this goes for international tourists, as well.

Forbidden to Be a Beggar

It is actually against the law to be a beggar in Indonesia. Anybody who is caught begging in the public could be jailed for 6 weeks. But it seems that this law is a bit lenient to those who are really poor. This law is more harsh on people who pretends to be a beggar but owns a house and a private vehicle. It is not allowed for anybody to give money to the beggars. A person who is caught giving a sum of money to a beggar could be put in jail for around 10 up to 60 days. The reasoning behind this law is thought to banish the act of begging.

Civil Servants Must Transfer Salary Directly to Wife’s Account

This particular law applies to the people who live in Gorontalo. Those civil servants who are already married must directly transfer their salary money right into bank account of their wife. The law worked and people were happy with it. The law is meant to keep peace and harmony among families.

Compulsory to Have a Garage When You Have A Car

In Jakarta, it is compulsory for someone to own a car to also have a garage or a driveway where they can park their car. This is to avoid having streets filled with a line of parked cars. By having a garage, the car owner can park the car where it’s meant to be parked.