Transportation
Taxis with meters are commonly available in Jakarta. The largest and safest taxi company is called Blue Bird.

There are airports in all major cities of Indonesia that are served by frequent scheduled flights of state-owned airline companies Garuda and Merpati, and/or some ten private operators. Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dubai, Sydney and Perth have daily flights to Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar (Bali).

Languages
Bahasa Indonesia (the national language, a form of Malay) has spread throughout the archipelago and has become the language of most written communication, education, government, and business. Local languages are still important in many outlying areas however. English is the most widely spoken foreign language.

Time relative to Greenwich Mean Time

• Sumatra, Java and West & Central Kalimantan are 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+7)
• Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South & East Kalimantan and the Celebes (Sulawesi) are 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8)
• Irian Jaya (Papua) and the Moluccas (Ambon) are 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+9)

Business hours
Private Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 08:30 – 17:30

Government Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 08.00 – 16:00; Friday, 08.00 – 15.00

Public holidays
Specified public holidays for 2010 are as follows (* variable):

January 1 New Year’s Day

February 14 Chinese New Year’s Day*

February 26 Birth of Prophet Muhammad* March 16 Seclusion Day*

April 2 Good Friday* May 28 Vesak Day*

July 10 Ascension Day of Prophet Muhammad* August 17 Independence Day of Indonesia

September 10-11 Idul Fitri (1431 H – end of Ramadhan)* November 17 Idul Adha Day (1431 H)*

December 07 Moslem New Year Day (1432 H)*

December 25 Christmas Day