TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) head Suhariyanto stated that purchasing power remains strong.
"The consumption of Indonesian households is still good, there is no decrease in purchasing power," Suhariyanto said on August (12/8).
The growth of household consumption in the second quarter is 4,95 percent year-on-year and the figure only had a slight increase compares to that of the first quarter as much as 4,94 percent.
Nevertheless, compared to the same quarter in 2016, the growth of household consumption in the second quarter of 2017 did experience a downturn and Suharyanto said that it is caused by different consumption patterns.
First, upper middle class preferred to not spend their money. Debit card transaction still grew, but slowed down. In addition, the percentage of saved income went up. He expressed concerns to the lower class making up 40 percent of the economy since there is an indication that their purchasing power is pinned down due to a decrease in income rate.
Second, Suharyanto observed a change in consumer behavior. It is shown in the increase of commodity which includes leisure activities.
"Food consumption went up, yet consumption of leisure activity went up," Suharyanto said, adding that this result from a change in lifestyle perception as substantiated by the increase of a rise in the number of transportation passengers.
Thus, Suharyanto urges government to focus more on tourism.
AMIRULLAH SUHADA