Indonesia’s economy grew a higher-than-expected 6.39 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of this year, thanks to high commodity prices, strong consumer spending and robust exports.

The figures will give a boost to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as he unveils the government’s 2009 budget on Friday. Ministers say this will include a 55 per cent increase in funds for poverty alleviation programmes and a significant expansion of the education budget.