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Terror alert: Australians warned against travelling to parts of Indonesia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its travel advice to Indonesia after the United States warned of a possible threat against US-linked hotels and banks in the East Java City of Surabaya.

DFAT’s alert level of ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ has not changed, but has been to updated to include a high threat of terrorist attack.

Indonesia terror alert
Bali’s Kuta Beach. The warning does not include Bali at this time. Image: Getty

The Government’s Smart Traveller website has posted new information about a potential threat in Surabaya, against hotels and banks associated with the US.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said terrorism was treated as the highest of national security issues and Australia was monitoring the developing security threat in Indonesia “very closely”.

The US recently warned of a potential threat against US-linked hotels and banks in the East Java city.

Ms Bishop said Australia was working closely with Indonesian authorities on the warnings of a potential terrorist attack.

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Members of Indonesia’s military anti-terror team during a drill in Denpasar in September last year. Image: Getty
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“We work very closely with the Indonesian security and intelligence and law enforcement agencies,” Ms Bishop said.

She advised Australians to carefully read the Federal Government’s travel advice before going to Indonesia and keep themselves informed of changing events in the country.

“We have seen incidents in the past where Australians have been killed,” she said.

“We all remember the Bali bombings where Australians were killed.

“I suggest if people have any concerns, they should ring our hotline or get in touch with our consulate in Bali or in Indonesia.

“But the information is all there on the Smart Traveller website.”

Also included in the new information is a warning that Indonesian immigration officials may deny entry to visitors who have a criminal record.

The Australian Government still advises people to reconsider their need to travel to some small areas of Indonesia known for terrorism and separatist conflict.

That advice remains the same and does not affect places like Bali.

This article was originally published on ABC and has been republished here with full permission.

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