Rupiah Display on Google Increased to Rp8,000 per US Dollar, Here is Bank Indonesia's Response

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The internet community in Indonesia was abuzz with the display of the exchange rate on Google yesterday because it drastically strengthened to the level of Rp8,170.65 per US dollar. Based on monitoring on the Google display, the rupiah value rose sharply compared to the closing of trading on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Head of the Communication Department of Bank Indonesia Ramdan Denny Prakoso said the data displayed was incorrect. "The US$/IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) exchange rate level of 8,100 as on Google is not the level it should be," he said in an official statement, quoted Saturday, February 1, 2025.

Currently, Bank Indonesia data records the exchange rate at the close of January 31 at Rp16,312 per US dollar. "We are coordinating with Google Indonesia regarding the discrepancy to immediately make the necessary corrections," he said.

Forex observer Ibrahim Assuaibi suspects that the strengthening rupiah display on Google is the work of hackers. "This is the work of hackers who are making the rupiah fluctuate," he said. According to him, hackers could be people who are disappointed with the current government. Ibrahim explained that hackers responded to the government's optimistic attitude of achieving 8 percent economic growth by showing the value of US$1 equal to Rp8,000.

Hackers, said Ibrahim, according to him, took advantage of the striking differences in economic growth assumptions between government institutions. The Ministry of Finance predicts that the Indonesian economy in 2025 can grow by 5.2 percent, but Bank Indonesia predicts that growth will only be at the level of 4.8 percent-5.1 percent.

According to him, the drastic change in the appearance of the has caused an uproar in society. On the X platform (Twitter) until 20:00 WIB yesterday night, US$1 USD has become a hot topic with a total of 36.4 thousand uploads. Most of the uploads highlight the appearance of the rupiah strengthening error.

Editor's Choice:

 to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News