August 7, 2025 | 11:56 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The release of Indonesia’s economic growth data by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), showing a year-on-year increase of 5.12 percent in the second quarter of 2025, has sparked mixed reactions. The achievement drew attention not only domestically but also from several international media outlets.
Several international media outlets took note of the growth figure, which exceeded expectations. VietnamPlus, for example, headlined its article: "Indonesia's economy grows faster than expected."
The outlet highlighted that the 5.12 percent growth surpassed projections by multiple economic institutions, many of which had forecast figures below 5 percent.
VietnamPlus also quoted Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Vice Chairman Saleh Husin, who described the growth as a “positive surprise,” particularly given that consumer spending has not fully recovered and investment remains cautious due to uncertain policy direction.
Meanwhile, Nikkei Asia ran the headline: "Indonesia beats expectations with 5.12% GDP growth in Q2." The Japanese media outlet attributed the growth to rising exports and increased government spending, citing BPS data.
Similarly, The Business Times International published: "Indonesia Q2 GDP growth at 5.12% y/y, beats expectations."
However, it noted that several economists warned the momentum might not be sustainable in the second half of 2025. "Analysts remain cautious, warning that the momentum may not last long as external pressures increase and the impact of new US tariffs takes effect," the outlet wrote on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
The Star, a Malaysian media outlet, titled its article: "Indonesia 2Q GDP beats expectations with fastest growth in two years."
It credited the growth to strong investment and robust household spending, marking the fastest expansion since Q2 2023.
However, The Star also cautioned that the strong growth occurred despite warning signs, such as declining car sales, weakening consumer confidence, and a shrinking Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), that may signal a slowdown ahead.
In Singapore, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) also covered the news under the headline: "Indonesia Q2 GDP growth at 5.12% y/y, beats expectations."
CNA noted that the second-quarter figure was the fastest growth rate since Q2 2023.
"Indonesia's annual economic growth increased to 5.12 percent in the second quarter from 4.87 percent in the previous three months," the article stated.
Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) took a different angle. In its article titled "Indonesia's economy is up, so why are its people down?", the Hong Kong-based outlet spotlighted the phenomenon of rojali (rare buyers) and rohana (only asking, not buying), reflecting skepticism on the ground about the reported growth.
"Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said in a briefing on Tuesday night, 'The issues of rohana and rojali are being exaggerated.'”
He made the comment after the government announced the 5.12 percent GDP growth, partly driven by a 4.97 percent increase in household consumption.
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