Airlangga and OJK Chief Respond Positively to Destry as Sole BI Governor Candidate

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has responded positively to the nomination of Destry Damayanti as the sole candidate for Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI). Airlangga assessed that Destry’s experience, currently serving as Senior Deputy Governor of BI in her second term, provides a strong foundation to lead the central bank.

“And (Destry) is an insider, so of course we see the market response has also been positive, the rupiah strengthened, and yesterday the capital market was also in the green zone,” said Airlangga after the UMKM Finance Summit 2026 event in Jakarta on Tuesday (11/8).

Similar support came from the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Chair of the OJK Board of Commissioners Friderica Widyasari Dewi stated that her institution strongly supports the nomination. According to her, Destry has an excellent track record and has established solid cooperation with OJK.

“We are very supportive. Mrs Destry is a figure we already know, and her track record is also very good. The cooperation established with OJK has also been very good. We pray that the process runs smoothly,” said Friderica on the same occasion.

Previously, the government officially announced the nomination of Destry Damayanti as the sole candidate for BI Governor. The President has submitted a Presidential Letter (Surpres) to the DPR to be processed according to the applicable mechanism.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that only one name was submitted to the legislature. “So, the name is single, one name, namely Mrs Destry Damayanti,” said Prasetyo at the DPR Building, Jakarta, on Monday (10/8).

The announcement of the single candidacy has also provided positive sentiment towards national economic stability. The rupiah exchange rate was reported to have reacted positively, closing 142 points stronger at Rp17,755 per US dollar.