Hi
This is Linda currently in Sumatra

My advice is not to go via the ferry from Melaka to Dumai. For a start you can only do it id your bike is less than 30 inches as it has to fit the door to the passenger department. Also the ferry company may not accept you after the hassles I had, as the Indonesian police blamed them for letting me in.
On arrival at cutoms they refused to stampo the carnet,phoned the police and I was escorted to the police station and my bike impounded.They said I had to have permission from Jakarta before I could ride it. After lengthy discussions, and the weekend, I had to take a bus to the main police station at Pakenburu, 200kms by bus (5 hours+) There I spoke to Mr Aswin Siregar who took copies of all my papers and finally gave me written permission. The carnet then had to be stamped in back at Dumai and a copy sent via the police there back to Aswin. ph, no 0761 29031 Jln. Senapelan no 10, Pakenburu
My advice is to try and go via Penang to Bulawan as it may not be such a problem there. The province of Riah (Dumai) is the one with the smugglong probs where they are more vigilant. Also it is better to ride up north on the Malaysian side as the roads and traffic are bad in Indonesia.

If you want to try and get permission from Jakarta before hand try asking at the Embassy in KL and INSIST that you need it. They said they didn't know anything when I asked but the police said they have told the embassy about this. I'm sorry I cant find the address that Aswin gave me at present, but ask for traffic police headquarters in Jakarta.

Hope this helps please contact me for more details if necessary.