Chatib Basri and Luhut Meet Prabowo

National Economic Council (DEN) Chairman Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, together with council member M. Chatib Basri, visited the Presidential Palace on Tuesday (9/6) at around 3:35 PM WIB. The two arrived almost simultaneously and immediately entered the Merdeka Palace complex. Chatib Basri stated he came with Luhut to meet President Prabowo Subianto but declined to disclose the agenda of the meeting with the Head of State. Luhut explained the meeting with Prabowo was a routine monthly agenda, noting they report on the council’s activities each month or every five weeks. When asked about Bank Indonesia’s sudden decision to raise the benchmark interest rate, Luhut considered it an appropriate move to curb the rupiah’s depreciation. He noted it was a good step to brake the weakening, adding the economic fundamentals remain acceptable, though attention is needed on certain points due to the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.