QRIS Go Asian Market

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka emphasized that the success of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) in penetrating the Asian market proves that Indonesia is no longer just a consumer, but also a producer of digital technology that is recognized worldwide.

"QRIS is not only a home champion, but can also be used in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and soon in Japan and South Korea," said Gibran in a video uploaded to his personal YouTube channel, quoted Sunday (5/18/2025).

Gibran emphasized that the presence of QRIS developed by Bank Indonesia (BI) together with the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI) is proof of technological sovereignty in the national financial sector.

"As emphasized by President Prabowo, the financial industry is the front guard and fortress in maintaining the sovereignty of a nation, and QRIS is part of our financial industry ecosystem," said Gibran.

Vice President Gibran added that QRIS encourages the acceleration of financial inclusion in the country, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

This payment system is a practical solution without relying on cash, cards, or Electronic Data Capture (EDC) machines.

“QRIS not only makes it easier for customers, but also provides benefits for street vendors, home businesses, and MSMEs,” he said. According to Gibran, currently 93 percent of QRIS merchant users come from the MSME sector, indicating the increasingly widespread digital adoption process among small business actors.

QRIS Users Reach Tens of Millions In a monologue video titled “Scan QRIS: This is About the Nation's Economic Sovereignty,” Gibran revealed the rapid spike in QRIS users that even made certain parties “irritated.”

“So, it is not surprising that its use has exploded tremendously and made other parties a little irritated,” he said. Until March 2025, Bank Indonesia recorded that QRIS users had reached more than 56 million people with the number of merchants reaching more than 38 million.

QRIS transaction volume increased 173 percent compared to the previous year, reaching more than 1 billion transactions.

“The transaction value also increased 149 percent compared to last year, or reached IDR 104 trillion. That's huge,” said the Vice President.

Gen Z Considered to Play a Major Role

Gibran also gave his appreciation to generation Z as the main driving force behind the adoption of QRIS in everyday life.

“Who is Gen Z here who often uses QRIS? Thank you because your speed and ability in adopting new technology have benefited the development of our domestic technology products,” he said.

He explained that the use of QRIS is now not only in modern shopping centers, but also reaches street vendors and donations at mosques.

“Shopping for goods at the mall, buying cendol, kerak telur, seblak from street vendors, or even giving donations at the mosque, can be done just by using a cellphone via QRIS,” said the Vice President.

Before 2019, Gibran continued, the payment system in Indonesia was still relatively complicated, both online and offline. People had to go through many stages and were often charged additional fees between banks.

In addition, the use of cash and cards still dominates, with obstacles such as long queues and limited EDC machines which are generally only available in large stores.

However, that condition has now changed. "Payment transactions can be done more easily and widely, even without having to carry a wallet, cash, or card. Simply by using QRIS via cellphone," said the Vice President. Gibran emphasized the importance of supporting local technology such as QRIS in order to realize an inclusive and sovereign economy.

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