This need has become increasingly evident in the economic activities of several regions in the Riau Islands, particularly on weekends when tourists from Singapore and Malaysia arrive in large numbers.
The preference for cashless transactions among international visitors is no longer a new phenomenon, especially in the Riau Islands.
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Digital payment systems are becoming popular among foreign tourists, particularly in Batam City, which shares close borders with Singapore and Malaysia.
A recent observation of travel activity and transactions at the Batam Center Ferry Terminal highlights the importance of promoting QRIS usage to the younger generation in neighboring countries.
Batam Center Ferry Terminal is one of the busiest entry points for foreign tourists entering Indonesia.
At the port, QRIS is already a regular method in commercial transactions.
A souvenir stall attendant at the port stated that their shop had only recently updated its QRIS system in the past two months to accept payments from foreign visitors in addition to domestic ones.
Buyers from Singapore and Malaysia now frequently ask if they can scan the code to pay even before inquiring about product prices.
These transactions are enabled through the integration of Indonesia’s QRIS with cross-border digital wallet services, known as QRIS cross-border.
Initiated by Bank Indonesia and its Southeast Asian partners, the QRIS cross-border system currently covers countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. The system is expected to launch in Japan soon.
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According to data from Bank Indonesia’s Riau Islands Provincial Office, between January and May 2025, Malaysian visitors made 5,920 QRIS cross-border transactions, far exceeding Singapore’s 1,252 transactions and Thailand’s 62 transactions.
This data reflects both geographical proximity and the digital readiness of Malaysian tourists in using cashless payment technologies like QRIS.
However, QRIS adoption is not yet equal across all age groups. Conversations with several tourists indicate that younger people, especially Generation Z, are far more adaptive and active in using scan-based digital payments.
Sarah, a tourist from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, said she and her friends commonly use digital wallet apps to make payments while in Indonesia.
In contrast, travelers aged 40 and above tend to prefer payment methods they find more secure and familiar, such as tap-based debit cards or cash.
Bank Indonesia data in 2025 shows that Gen Z comprises the largest group of QRIS users nationally, accounting for 27.94 percent of total users.
Therefore, QRIS promotion should target locations outside Indonesia, such as Johor Bahru (Malaysia) and Singapore, both geographically close to Batam.
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Bank Indonesia already has a representative office in Singapore, and potential partnerships with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) there should be explored.
The goal is to educate the younger generation in those countries on the ease of using QRIS while visiting Batam and the Riau Islands.
Collaborations with Indonesian representatives abroad could lead to integrated informative campaigns, such as through campus seminars, community events, or cultural festivals involving student groups.
By engaging young people from neighboring countries, Indonesia’s image will grow, not just as a shopping destination but also as a modern and digitally friendly country.
Of course, cross-border campaigns are not without challenges. One of the main obstacles is the level of trust and understanding foreign consumers have about the QRIS system, which may still be unfamiliar to some.
Concerns over transaction security or confusion in selecting compatible apps could hinder QRIS adoption, given the variety of digital channels available.
To address this, a practical and simple educational approach is needed, such as interactive infographics, video tutorials on social media, and brief training sessions for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) explaining the advantages of cross-border QRIS.
Given the high weekend influx of tourists from Malaysia and Singapore, the Batam Center Ferry Terminal is well-suited to become a national pilot area for expanding the QRIS cross-border ecosystem.
The central government, alongside Bank Indonesia, could designate Batam as a pilot project for smart tourism, promoting non-cash payments there.
In border regions like Batam, QRIS cross-border usage is gaining momentum among travelers. However, this potential must be boosted through an on-target promotional strategy and inclusive education efforts that reach all levels of business players.
The QRIS cross-border payment also has huge potential to be expanded to BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) member countries.
Earlier, the Center of Economics and Law Studies (Celios) stated that Indonesia’s QRIS serves as a strong foundation for the country’s participation in developing the BRICS cross-border payment system.
In the Leaders’ Declaration adopted at the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, BRICS heads of state instructed finance ministers and central bank governors to continue discussions on the BRICS Cross-border Payments Initiative.
“Indonesia has a strong foundation. Bank Indonesia is actively engaged in discussions, and QRIS technology is already connected with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand,” Celios’ Director of the China-Indonesia Desk, Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, explained.
Therefore, to optimize the QRIS cross-border potential, targeted campaigns and youth participation are essential for building a boundless and cashless ecosystem in Indonesia. (INE)
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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