More Malaysians Travel to Indonesia as Rupiah Drops to Historic Low
Malaysians are increasingly flying to Indonesia thanks to a record low in the Indonesian rupiah, making everything from hotels to street food far more affordable.
As of April 22, 2025, 1 million Indonesian rupiah is worth roughly RM260 — a steep drop compared to RM300 per million just a year ago. This significant shift has prompted many Malaysians to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate.
A Surge in Tourism
According to the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics, Malaysian tourist arrivals spiked by 24.22% at the end of 2024, totaling 2.27 million visitors. Malaysians now make up 18.3% of all international tourists to Indonesia — the largest group since 2022, surpassing travelers from Australia, Singapore, China, and India.
Why Malaysia Loves Indonesia
President of the Malaysia Tourism Agency Association, Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun, noted that Indonesia remains a top destination not just because of currency value, but due to its cultural familiarity and ease of travel.
“Proximity, frequent flights, affordable accommodation, and halal food options make it easy and safe for Malaysian Muslims to explore Indonesia,” he said.
He added that modern infrastructure, digital payment systems, and low-cost transport options further enhance Indonesia’s appeal.
Tour Packages and Hotspots
Razly Mohamed, director of Flywind Holidays, said Indonesia is now the second most-visited destination by Malaysians, right after Thailand.
“Indonesia represents 50% of our total bookings. Popular spots include Batam, Bali, Jakarta, Bandung, Banda Aceh, Padang, Bukit Tinggi, Yogyakarta, and Medan,” he said.
Affordable travel packages, frequent direct flights, and a favorable ringgit-rupiah exchange continue to drive demand.
With the rupiah still hovering around RM260 per million, more Malaysians are expected to take this opportunity to enjoy budget-friendly adventures across the archipelago.
