The annual mudik (exodus) during the Idul Fitri holidays this year bolstered regional economic growth, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has said. She explained that the increased preference for land-based modes of transportation had resulted in increased spending at toll road rest areas, such as at eateries and for other types of consumption, which contributed to local economies. “The impacts spill over to regions other than Java, so the positive [economic] impacts will be felt across Indonesia,” she said in a recent press conference. The boost to local economies was in line with the expected strong household spending growth of above 5 percent, with consumer price index inflation predicted to remain “manageable" at 3.5 percent, she added. She cited spending during Ramadan and the election period as two main drivers of this growth. Bank Indonesia (BI) also p...