Bomb threat diverts plane of Haj pilgrims in Indonesia, second in days
Saudia Airlines flight SV5688 had flown from the Saudi city of Jeddah to the Omani capital of Muscat before travelling on to Indonesia where it was due to land in Surabaya, a city on the main island of Java.
But air traffic control officers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta received a call about a bomb threat for the flight, prompting its diversion to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan city Saturday morning, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said.
Regional airport authority head Asri Santosa said in a statement that officers were checking the plane after its arrival but the airport on Sumatra island remained operational.
All 376 passengers, Haj pilgrims from Java, and 13 crew members were safe at the airport, North Sumatra police spokesman Ferry Walintukan told AFP.
A bomb squad was deployed to sweep the aircraft.
The passengers are due to resume their journey on Sunday, said Asri.
According to Indonesian news site Tempo, the country's anti-terror squad Densus 88 is investigating the latest bomb threat.
On Tuesday, a plane carrying 442 Haj pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia to Jakarta was also diverted to Medan after an email bomb threat was sent to authorities.
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) is in contact with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation on the email bomb threat, Polri chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo told reporters on Saturday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
4 days ago
- CNA
Snorkel, island-hop and spot tarsiers in Belitung, one of Indonesia's best-kept island secrets
The sun has just risen when we wade into the sea with our snorkel gear. Just metres from shore, I'm surprised to find a kaleidoscope of colour blooming beneath calm, translucent water. Vibrant coral clusters – some domed like mushrooms, others ridged like brains – rise from the seabed, teeming with life. Clownfish dart in and out of anemone homes, while flashes of yellow and green fish shimmer in the sun-dappled shallows. I steer clear of a little valley guarded by bristling black urchins. I marvel: So this is what a healthy, pristine reef looks like. I've been coaxed into joining this early morning ritual by Daniel Alexander Napitupulu, director of Tanjung Kelayang Reserve. Wherever possible, the 37-year-old begins each day with a dip in the ocean, drawing clarity and calm from it. 'We let nature lend us its energy this morning,' he said. But beyond the beautiful seascapes, Napitupulu sees something deeper: A blueprint for how hospitality, local communities, and wildlife can thrive together when guided by nature. THE NEW FACE OF BELITUNG I'm spending a weekend in Belitung Island, just off the eastern coast of Sumatra – a place dubbed the 'Seychelles" or "Maldives" of Indonesia. While it lacks the towering peaks of Raja Ampat or Komodo, Belitung offers a more laid-back allure – striking granite formations, swaying palms, white sand beaches and serene azure bays. Belitung Island has a rich history of tin mining, and played a role in ancient maritime trade routes that linked China, the Middle East and Europe. But as tin deposits depleted in the 1990s, Belitung began looking to new futures – turning toward fishing, agriculture, and more recently, sustainable tourism. Belitung was initially part of Indonesia's '10 New Balis' initiative, a 2016 government effort to spotlight alternative destinations beyond Bali. While it's no longer one of the current super-priority tourism sites, the island remains an up-and-coming destination for sustainable tourism. My visit centres on Tanjung Kelayang Reserve, a privately owned 350-hectare sanctuary – over half of which is protected – and also part of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for tourism. It's just a short hop from Singapore, with a quick layover in Jakarta before a one-hour flight to Belitung. In July, I checked into the Sheraton Belitung Resort, where sandy-hued interiors contrast pleasingly with the surrounding deep green tropical gardens and natural lagoons. Belitung caters to both the unhurried and the adventurous. The reserve, set within the UNESCO Global Geopark of Belitung, offers forest treks, rock climbing, kayaking, and access to hidden caves and nearby islets. But the island also invites you to slow down, where life runs on 'santai' time ('relax' in Bahasa Indonesia). You could spend the day lounging, digging into local cuisine or bowls of Indomie from the resort's instant noodle cart, or unwinding at the hotel spa which incorporates local ingredients like black pepper in massage oils and zesty calamansi baths. In town, Waroeng Kopi Ake – Belitung's oldest coffee shop – draws bapak-bapak (older gentlemen) who idle the time away over traditional brews. INTO THE FOREST: TRAILS, TREES AND TARSIERS We begin with a morning walk along the Whistle Trail, named after the melodious whistle bird and home to the white-tailed eagle. Our guide, Akbar Alfarisyi, a Belitung-born biologist who joined the reserve in 2022, has spent over a decade documenting the island's rich biodiversity – more than 2,500 species of flora and fauna. A former biology teacher in Jakarta's universities, the 33-year-old is now focused on educating both visitors and locals, hoping to empower a new generation of nature stewards in Belitung. As we walk, Alfarisyi points out partially devoured termite nests, also the snack of Sunda pangolins – the world's most trafficked mammal – which have been released back into the wild here. The trail is lined with critically endangered Pelapak trees, once prized for boat-building but now struggling without natural seed dispersers. We leave handwritten notes by our newly planted saplings, joining a list of past visitors that includes Miss Universe 2024 and National Geographic Indonesia. Later, we ride in a buggy along red gravel roads to visit the reserve's zero-impact water plant. Here, kaolin clay – an abundant local mineral – naturally filters collected rainwater for resort use, avoiding deep-well drilling. We also stop by the stingless Trigona bee farm run by villagers from Komunitas Pelabo Sijuk. Dipping a straw in, we taste honey that reveals surprising flavour variations, from sharp and tangy to syrupy sweet. Akbar envisions Tanjung Kelayang Reserve as a model for eco-tourism – rooted in research, education, and community-led conservation – offering an alternative to mining and palm oil industries. 'I want people to know the true beauty of this island,' he said. 'Through tourism, we can protect our habitats and pass knowledge to the next generation.' A must-do: An evening hike up Peramun Hill, a 129m-high granite outcrop blanketed in mossy forest. Managed by the Arsel Community, the hill has long been a source of medicinal plants and edible mushrooms – hence its name is derived from the term herbal concoction. It's a short, steep climb to the summit, where golden-hour views await alongside a spread of cassava and pisang goreng (fried bananas). As dusk falls, monkeys rustle above and fireflies illuminate our descent, as we dodge the hill's giant ants. We're here for the Billiton tarsier, elusive nocturnal primates with enormous saucer eyes and spindly limbs, increasingly threatened by habitat loss. Sightings are tightly regulated here to protect them: just three viewings a week, with strict rules to minimise stress – no flash, no loud noises, no more than 10 minutes of observation. Guided by rangers, we find one clinging to a branch – smaller than I expected, with an oddly Yoda-like air. It stays still for a moment, then vanishes into the darkness. I also participate in an eco-printing workshop by Sepiak Belitong, a group promoting sustainable crafts through traditional batik and natural dye techniques. We pound wild kirinyuh leaves onto fabric, imprinting them onto bucket hats and totes – a hands-on way to connect with Belitung's culture while supporting the social empowerment initiative. INTO THE BLUE: SEA ACTIVITIES AT BELITUNG We set off on a boat for an afternoon at sea. When the sun hits just right, the water glitters like liquid glass. I've visited islands across the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, but this ocean feels unusually peaceful, blissfully free of party boats and tourist hordes. We coast past the Lengkuas Island lighthouse and sculptural granite boulders that jut dramatically from the sea. At one stop, a lone female silvered leaf monkey perches on the rocks, watching us intently. Napitupulu grew up in Sumatra and later lived in Jakarta and Surabaya, places where he rarely saw beautiful oceans. Since joining the reserve as director in 2018, he's found his sea legs. Now a passionate freediver, he often calls Belitung 'heaven on earth.' In our short time at the reserve, I see him perpetually barefoot and in his wetsuit. Clutching a chocolate milkshake, Napitupulu stands at the stern of the boat. 'Isn't this the life?' he said with a sigh. We're on island time now – the tempo slows, fluid and languorous. Some slip into the sea to snorkel, others laze on deck, reading or gazing out. As sunset nears, the sky erupts in scarlet and gold, the boat speeding past the flaming orb as the ocean ripples red. We head for Tukong Island, where flickering candlelight lines a forest path, casting a mysterious, almost otherworldly atmosphere. We emerge into an open clearing flanked by massive boulders, overlooking the sea. On a long slab of rock, there's an elegant picnic waiting. We settle in to watch the blue hour fade, while Napitupulu slips away for a quiet moment of rock bathing. A DIFFERENT KIND OF ISLAND DREAM Belitung's guardians are focused on positioning the island as a getaway resort destination for Singaporeans. With Changi Airport Group exploring the possibility of new direct flights between Singapore and Belitung, there's a sense of cautious optimism. 'We're pushing for direct connectivity to Singapore,' Napitupulu said, over our farewell dinner. 'It's the hub of Southeast Asia – the gateway for global travellers. Belitung is close enough to become its satellite destination. We want Singaporeans, expats, and international visitors to know this place.' Our visit coincided with a group who flew in from Singapore's Seletar Airport on two private charter planes, including Lawrence Liaw, founder of Aviation Hub. He's eyeing Belitung as the first stop in a network of regional retreats linked by lifestyle aviation – short-range, scenic flights. Their arrival made local news, following the HAS Hanandjoeddin International Airport's re-designation as an international hub in April 2025. But it's not just about numbers. Belitung is courting slow, intentional travellers who seek out lesser-known places, appreciate nature, and are willing to stay longer. People who fall for Belitung and return – sometimes to contribute or help nurture what's been built. 'What I'm trying to do is build a community that loves the environment, makes a positive impact, and shares Belitung's beauty with others,' he explained. There's a desire here to write a different development story – one that avoids the mistakes of overcrowded coastal destinations. Napitupulu said they're lucky to have a small showcase proving sustainable coastal development is possible. Yet, as Belitung charts a course toward low-impact tourism, nearby island sanctuaries tell a cautionary tale. In the Riau Islands, serene eco‑tourism havens like Nikoi and Cempedak – home to nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles, as well as Irrawaddy dolphins and dugongs – local communities now face ecological and social risks from a planned US$6 billion aluminium smelting complex. On our boat ride back to the resort, the boatman switches off the light, and we fall silent. I sink into the cushions, lie back, and look up. Above us, a sky thick with constellations stretches endlessly, as if we're gliding through a sea of winking stars. How lucky we are to witness this sliver of magic, and to experience what reconnecting with wild places does to the soul – the privilege of access to 'Santai' time, and the hope that Belitung will protect its natural rhythm – that paradise can hold.
Independent Singapore
10-08-2025
- Independent Singapore
Survey finds Singaporeans turning away from US trips over value, safety worries
Photo: Canva Free Image Library SINGAPORE: A regional survey commissioned by CNBC Travel showed growing interest in the U.S. among Southeast Asians. Singaporeans, however, have bucked the trend. Only 7% of Singaporean respondents said their interest in visiting the U.S. increased this year, while a striking 55% said it had declined. The numbers diverge sharply from respondents in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, where enthusiasm for the U.S. as a travel destination has largely rebounded. In contrast, Singaporeans seem more cautious, even disillusioned. One of the key factors is safety—or rather, the perception that safety in the U.S. has eroded. Singapore is perceived to be one of the safest countries in the world, with stricter gun control and a deeper cultural emphasis on public order. Against this backdrop, the relatively high levels of gun violence in the U.S., combined with recent images of political unrest and mass shootings, are more than unsettling. According to a survey conducted by Milieu Insight, Singaporeans were 13 percentage points more concerned about their personal safety in the U.S. than the regional average, and 20 percentage points more concerned about gun violence specifically. 'I mean, why go U.S. now?' one Redditor wrote. 'You have the choice of cheaper, safer, more familiar and nearer destinations like China, Japan, Korea… Why risk getting accosted by ICE or caught in a shooting?' The disillusionment runs deeper than just holiday planning. For years, the U.S. held an aspirational allure among Singaporeans—home of Ivy League universities, Silicon Valley, Broadway, and national parks. But the last decade has brought a more critical gaze. Many Singaporean's perceive political instability, rising racism, and a healthcare system that many outsiders find daunting have dented the country's image. There's also a growing sentiment that the U.S. no longer delivers value for money. 'Nearly $1.5k on the air ticket is just wild,' one commenter noted. Cost of tipping, unpredictable service quality, and concerns over sudden medical emergencies all add up. When travellers can enjoy clean, safe, culturally rich experiences in Japan, South Korea, or even Eastern Europe—without the same emotional or financial overhead—the U.S. starts to look less like a dream destination and more like a logistical headache. See also Exploring the New Wave of Luxury Hotels in Singapore Of course, not all Singaporeans are turning away, but among leisure travellers, something fundamental has shifted. The appeal of America is dimming in a region where standards for safety, reliability, and hospitality continue to rise. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
CNA
03-08-2025
- CNA
Hidden Bali retreats: 5 quiet resorts away from the chaos
Bali is famous for its bright green rice fields, a lively local culture, and beaches where the sun dips in a fiery blaze. But if the packed cafes of Canggu or the traffic-choked streets of Seminyak leave you second-guessing your island dreams, don't write Bali off just yet. Beyond the busy hubs lie hidden sanctuaries where peace, nature, and authenticity take centre stage. From jungle retreats with no walls to national park villas and mountaintop eco-lodges, here are five stays that offer all the magic of Bali – minus the crowd. BUAHAN, A BANYAN TREE ESCAPE The term 'blending with nature' has a new meaning here. Perched in a lush valley of Payangan, 20km north of Ubud, Buahan carries out a bold design concept of 'no walls, no doors' in all of its 16 villas, thus blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Staying here, you won't need to get up from your bed to enjoy forest bathing. The resort came at the right moment. Buahan, the world's first Banyan Tree Escape, was officiated in 2022 when the world was in a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and a holiday meant an opportunity to reconnect with nature, disconnect from urban life, and, well, escape reality. The resort's architect duo, Dharmali Kusumadi and Gede Kresna, took their inspiration from bale, a common traditional hangout hut for villagers. Each structure is made almost entirely of wood, especially ironwood, which is famously known for its sturdiness against wet weather. The roof is supported by thick pillars with nothing in between except for white transparent curtains – a deliberate setting to evoke, as Buahan puts it, a naked experience. Each villa comes with a private pool, a chopper bathtub, and a huge mattress enough to accommodate three people. Outside your adult-only villas, the resort has other great things on offer. Conceptualised in partnership with Locavore, the restaurant highlights elaborated plant-based dishes. (The Jatiluwih rice with moringa butter, chocolate cake with Trijata berries, and 'matcha latte' made of soy and moringa are some of the must-tries), The Botanist Bar has a diverse cocktail selection that maximises local liquors, including Nusa Cana Rum, East Indies Gin, and Kaja Vodka. Meanwhile, the main pool is one of the most photogenic in Bali: floating on top of a jungle, facing seven magical mountains in the distance. Pro tip: Save some soak time to visit the waterfall in the valley below the resort. LOST LINDENBERG If you've never heard of Jembrana, that's because the area is very much outside the tourist radar in Bali. Yet, it is here that the German chain hotel Lindenberg built its first foreign outpost – and the reason has something to do with Balinese classic tourist attraction: Surfing. A few years back, Lindenberg's owner came to scout for a quiet surf spot and discovered the great waves and black handsome beach of Medewi Point in the south of Jembrana. And just like that, he decided to build a property nearby. But this is not your ordinary 'hidden surf lodge.' Created by two hot names in the contemporary tropical architecture scene – Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel – Lost Lindenberg's design has sparked some buzz among the design insiders in Bali. This is part of the reasons why the resort also attracts non-surfers. Arriving here, after navigating the winding road full of trucks (Jembrana is the main logistic route between Java and Bali), you will be greeted by a lively wall decorated by neon signs in different shapes and colors, as if they were taken from random night clubs or disco bars. The artist behind this playful artwork, Tobias Rehberger, wanted to create some sort of a 'psychological border.' His pop installation represents the noisy world that guests will leave behind when entering the resort and hoping to get lost in serenity. A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Lost Lindenberg has only eight rooms. The design offers a fresh take on the usual tropical surf camps. Wishing to evoke a sensation of floating above the jungle and overlooking the sea, the architects put each of the wooden lodges on a staggered tower. While the elevated structure might remind you of an outlook post, it also gives you a high ground advantage. From the lodge's floor to ceiling window, you can absorb the panoramic view of the vast ocean. On a sunny day, you might even catch a glimpse of Alas Purwo National Park in East Java. (For the best aerial vista, pick the Ocean Panorama Suite.) PLATARAN MENJANGAN RESORT & SPA Located well within Bali's only national park, this remote property is dedicated to take you to experience nature, encounter wildlife, and see Bali from a different perspective. Plataran Menjangan, a seafront 17-villa property, is located inside the West Bali National Park in the north coast of the island, five hours drive from the airport. Getting there is an experience of its own. Beyond the bustling south Bali, the winding scenic road will take you past clove plantations, terrace rice fields, and three ancient lakes. Here and there, warung selling Balinese suckling pigs lures you to make a pitstop. But for a scenic pause halfway through the drive, you can stop at The View, a modest but charming restaurant by Plataran. Entering the national park on the way to the resort hidden deep in the jungle, you'll soon sense that you'll be spending your entire holiday time here. Villas (some of which have two bedrooms) either stand in the forest or look across the sea from the rocky mangrove coast. The spa, one of the best on the island in terms of view, is built on stilts on a shallow sea, while the main restaurant is placed inside an octagonal structure which also houses the main pool and observation deck. Compared to the main tourist spots like Canggu or Kuta, the park feels like a world apart. Here, every day is a safari. Walking around the resort, you will see groups of deer grazing, monkeys hanging from branches, monitor lizards sunbathing, or junglefowls peeking out from behind leaves. If you are lucky, you might hear the sharp chirping of Bali starling, the island's fauna icon. The sea too promises a memorable exploration. Menjangan, an island offshore, and a short boat ride from the resort, is popular among beachgoers because of its pristine beaches, while the surrounding water hides some of the most protected dive sites in Bali. In the afternoon, opt for the Plataran Menjangan sunset cruise that will take you on a 15m wooden Phinisi, the double masts schooner from South Sulawesi, to explore the northern sea and admire the towering volcanoes in East Java, while enjoying canapes and fresh coconut water. KABA KABA ESTATE Tabanan, a fast-growing region in the southwest of Bali, has been witnessing an influx of major developments, most notably the megacomplex Ciputra Beach Resort and Nuanu Creative City. Nevertheless, the area still keeps a few quiet corners to escape the crowd and enjoy a contemplative holiday. Tucked in a small village of Banjar Beringkit, Kaba Kaba Estate offers a perfect combination of romantic rural ambience and modern comfort. The landscape is amiable: A 1.2-hectare private villa enclosed by a spacious lawn and garden. At night, prayer chants from the neighbouring temples flow with the cool breeze, sweeping the surrounding green paddy field. That alluring setting is matched with extensive facilities for an independent villa. It has a 25m infinity pool, a grass tennis court, a mountain-facing bar, and a Moroccan-style indoor cinema. Catering to big groups and families, the eight-bedroom compound is served by a good ratio of crew members: 24 people, including four butlers and an in-house chef specialising in Indonesian dishes. It might be safe to say that Kaba Kaba Estate has secured a spot in the top league of luxury private villas in Bali. However, its best offering might come down to the well-curated art and antique collections. Arriving at its main gate, guests will be greeted by a couple of ancient elephant statues from Rajasthan. Decorating the bar is a 19-century Burmese throne, while next to the pool stands an evocative sculpture by the Indonesian celebrated artist Entang Wiharso. Depending on which room you pick, you might stumble upon great pieces by Agapetus Kristiandana or Cai Zhisong. SARINBUANA ECO LODGE In the race for the title of the most eco-friendly hotel in Bali, Sarinbuana stands out among the pack. Built by a couple who work as environmental management consultants, this rustic property has set a good example in showing people how a responsible accommodation can be enjoyable without sacrificing too much comfort. Nestled at the lush foot of Batukaru, the second tallest mountain in Bali, around a three-hour drive from the airport, Sarinbuana Eco Lodge offers an aerial view of the illuminated southern area of Bali – the busy part of the island which its guests are trying to escape from. In the hilly villages around the resort, there are more trees than people and daily, only a handful of cars pass the bumpy narrow roads. There's no nightclubs or parties to be found here, obviously, and almost no mobile phone signals. But the night is filled with the constant calling of crickets and katydids. And if some of the local inhabitants find their way into your room, no need to worry. As stated in the resort's official notice board, the presence of insects is not a reflection of a low sanitation standard. Instead, it's a sign of a healthy ecosystem. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarinbuana Eco Lodge - Bali (@baliecolodge) Staying here promises a reflective moment on how we experience travel consciously. At the restaurant, plastic straw is forbidden and all dishes contain only ingredients harvested from the resort's garden of nearby villages, thus cutting the emission from the distribution process. In all the seven bungalows and cabins, there are no AC nor TV to be found, and the bathroom toiletries include soaps made of soy and coconut oils. Hot water showers are available, but with soft spray power. Not so long ago, the owner added a non-chemical pool on their property. Before that, the closest thing to a swimming pool here was a nature-formed lagoon at the bottom of a valley. The water is so fresh that the locals are accustomed to drinking it directly. Since its opening 20 years ago, Sarinbuana has received numerous green accolades, including two awards from the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards.
