"The board of governors see faster economic growth as well as investment inflow," said central bank spokesman Budi Mulya as reported by MetroTV television station after a meeting of the BIboard of governors.
According to Budi, the economic growth in the first quarter reached 5.9 percent and would increase to some 6 percent in the second quarter.
He added that BI also did not worry over the strengthening of rupiah since the recent days, saying that it was affected by a global trend and would not affect Indonesian exports.
Analysts even saw that the cut of the benchmark rate was likely also caused by the slowing inflation and a surging rupiah. (**)
Sumatra, Indonesia
Two earthquakes, measuring 6.3 and 6.0 on the Richter scale struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra within the space of two hours, killing at-least 70 people. The death toll may rise as a large number of buildings were destroyed and the search for survivors continues.

No tsunami warning was issued, although some people in coastal areas moved inland.  However, as the quake was under land there was no likelihood of a tsunami.

The tremors were felt in Singapore and Malaysia as well.