"The app was designed for Indonesians traveling overseas, whether temporarily or for longer stays," said Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, the ministry's director for the protection of Indonesian nationals and entities abroad, in a statement late on Tuesday.

"[We] hope to be able to record the distribution of Indonesian citizens abroad and their whereabouts, so that we can effectively provide better protection when it is needed."

The app, launched during the foreign minister's annual press statement event in Jakarta on Tuesday, will be connected to the ministry's existing eProtection database for Indonesian citizens abroad.

The SafeTravel app is equipped with a number of useful features, including a round-up of information and updates on destination countries, as well as the closest corresponding Indonesian consulate available and how to get there.

There is also a collection of safety travel tips, a social sharing platform and a "panic button" in case of emergencies, Iqbal explained.

"The 'panic button' immediately connects the user to the ministry's hotline or to that of the closest Indonesian consulate and sends coordinates of the user's location and additional information like photos or videos," the diplomat explained.

The SafeTravel app was developed in the past year alongside relevant stakeholders such as haj travel agencies, backpacker communities and insurance companies, as well as migrant worker advocacy groups and Indonesian diaspora overseas. (evi)

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