Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), a member of Indonesia\u2019s Presidential\nAdvisory Council (Wantimpres), has warned that businesses are facing\nchallenges from the rupiah\u2019s depreciation and pressure on purchasing\npower. He urged all parties to address the situation calmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must face this situation with a cool head. The government, Bank\nIndonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Indonesia Stock\nExchange (BEI), banks, state-owned enterprises and businesses must work\ntowards the same goals: maintaining rupiah stability, strengthening\npeople\u2019s purchasing power, and ensuring that the capital market remains\ncredible, transparent and attractive to investors,\u201d Bamsoet said in a\nstatement on Friday (30 October 2026).<\/p>\n
Bamsoet said external pressures remained high. The rupiah was trading\nat around Rp18,000 to the US dollar, while the stock market was volatile\namid a combination of global sentiment, geopolitical tensions, capital\nflows and investor concerns about market governance.<\/p>\n
However, he said, the national economy retained resilience.\nIndonesia\u2019s foreign-exchange reserves stood at US$146.3 billion at the\nend of September 2026, equivalent to 5.3 months of imports and well\nabove the international adequacy standard. September 2026 inflation was\nalso contained at 3.28 per cent year on year, within Bank Indonesia\u2019s\ntarget range.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not let market pressure turn into economic panic. The consumer\nconfidence indicator remains in optimistic territory at 118.1. Bank\nlending is growing by 13.26 per cent year on year, while the banking\nsector\u2019s capital adequacy ratio remains strong at 24.10 per cent. This\nmeans our economic activity is continuing. What is needed is an\nappropriate and consistent response,\u201d Bamsoet said.<\/p>\n
The Golkar Party deputy chairman outlined several strategic measures\nthat should be reinforced. First, Bank Indonesia should continue\nstabilising the exchange rate through measured intervention, deeper\ndomestic foreign-exchange markets, greater use of hedging instruments\nand wider use of local currencies in trade with partner countries.<\/p>\n
Second, the government should safeguard purchasing power by\ncontrolling food prices, ensuring smooth distribution, protecting\nvulnerable groups and accelerating productive state spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next step is to make strengthening the capital market a shared\npriority. Transparency in share ownership, law enforcement against\nmarket manipulation, improved issuer quality and protection for retail\ninvestors must be pursued without compromise. A healthy capital market\nis not merely a place to raise funds; it is a reflection of confidence\nin the future of the national economy,\u201d Bamsoet said.<\/p>\n
Bamsoet added that, as a fourth measure, businesses needed regulatory\ncertainty, easier investment conditions, access to financing and\nincentives to increase exports and replace imports. Micro, small and\nmedium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and labour-intensive industries should\nalso be prioritised because they employ large numbers of people and\ndirectly support household consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses need consistent policies, clear law enforcement and open\ncommunication between fiscal and monetary authorities. If certainty is\nmaintained, businesses will be more willing to invest and expand their\noperations. Indonesia has a large domestic market, abundant resources\nand a productive workforce. We must make use of all these strengths so\nthat economic optimism is genuinely felt in business activity and\npeople\u2019s lives,\u201d Bamsoet concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bamsoet-rupiah-pressure-must-be-addressed-calmly-1793368359", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }