If Indonesia's Economy Doesn't Reach 6%, Purbaya Reveals These Consequences

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Indonesia’s 6% economic growth target has been frequently highlighted by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. This was no exception during the inauguration of the Ministry of Finance’s Secretary General, Robert Marbun, on Friday (27/3/2026). Purbaya stated that the economic growth target approaching 6% this year must be achieved. He even acknowledged that the government has limited time to realise this target. “And our time, Mr Robert, is not much. I have promised the people, the public, that economic growth this year will approach 6%,” Purbaya said during the inauguration of Robert Marbun, who replaces Heru Pambudi’s position as Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance since 12 March 2021, quoted on Tuesday (31/3/2026). Purbaya also conveyed the consequences that must be faced if the target is missed. He even mentioned that he would be “scolded by the public” and asked to resign if economic growth does not reach the target he has repeatedly championed. “If at the end of the year it is not achieved, I will be scolded by the public. Perhaps told to step down,” he said. On another occasion, Purbaya also stated that global uncertainties and crises haunting the world do not hinder Indonesia’s economic growth target to reach 6% this year. Purbaya said the government has several strategies to keep growth accelerating above 5%, even though the war in the Middle East between Iran and Israel and the United States (US) has disrupted global energy prices and supplies. Those strategies include focusing on fiscal and monetary policies simultaneously to stimulate business activity. That means government spending will be intensive and the BI reference interest rate will be accommodative. “Growing 6% should not be too difficult. Above the book, yes, but in the field, we need pushes like others so it can go faster. But clearly, those engines have been started,” Purbaya said at his office in Jakarta on Friday (27/3/2026). “So almost certainly we are not heading towards recession, let alone crisis,” Purbaya stressed. Therefore, Purbaya assured that amid the current period of global economic pressure, the government will focus on disbursing state spending on time, as a driver of domestic economic activity. While continuously improving the business climate and maintaining economic liquidity. “I assure you that the liquidity of the economic system is sufficient. I assure you that government spending is on time. I strive to improve the business climate as optimally as possible,” he explained. From various main economic indicators, such as the consumer confidence index, Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for manufacturing, to motorbike and car sales data, Purbaya assessed that Indonesia’s economic condition to date remains on track towards growth. “In my opinion, above 5.5% is already good in the current situation. Then if it’s higher than 5.5%, we’ll have a feast as I promised yesterday. So it’s not that I’m optimistic, I’m looking at the data,” Purbaya said. “And I know what I put into the economic system to make the economy move. Those data are the impact of policies behind that you don’t understand,” he stressed.