Dollar Approaches Rp17,000/USD; Airlangga: Indonesian Economy Solid

Jakarta — The Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the government and Bank Indonesia (BI) are working in synergy to maintain rupiah stability. The US dollar has approached Rp17,000/USD in today’s trading.

According to Refinitiv data, the rupiah opened with depreciation of 0.47% to Rp16,980/USD. The rupiah also closed weak at 0.15% down to Rp16,900/USD.

Airlangga stated that BI plays a role in maintaining rupiah stability, whilst the government ensures that Indonesia’s economy remains solid.

“This is the responsibility of Bank Indonesia, it is BI’s task to keep the rupiah stable. And from the government’s side, we have already maintained prudent macroeconomic conditions and our economic situation remains solid,” Airlangga told the media on Monday (16 March 2026) at the Office of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy in Jakarta.

He also assured that the government will not be hasty or aggressive in responding to the dollar reaching its worst position compared to the 1998 monetary crisis.

“We are monitoring the situation and the government will remain conservative, not rushing to respond to external dynamics,” he said.

The rupiah’s movement in today’s trading remains shadowed by external sentiment, particularly the strengthening of the US dollar in global markets.

The US dollar index continues to strengthen and move towards its highest level in more than three months. The US dollar index (DXY) at 09:00 WIB was recorded strengthening sharply by 0.68% to the level of 99.655, thereby affecting the rupiah’s movement against the US dollar.

This strengthening occurs alongside a surge in global oil prices, which has breached USD100 per barrel, amid concerns that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could trigger disruptions to global energy supply in the longer term.