Ministry of Finance Denies Claims Minister Purbaya Told Foreign Investors to Seek Other Countries

The Ministry of Finance has denied information suggesting that Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa invited foreign investors to seek other countries if they find Indonesia’s policies unsuitable. Through the Information and Documentation Management Officer (PPID), the Ministry of Finance emphasised that the news is false or a hoax.

‘The circulating news regarding Minister Purbaya’s statement, inviting foreign investors to seek other countries if they are not compatible with Indonesian policies—in response to an open letter from the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (CCCI) to the President regarding various investment hurdles in Indonesia—is a hoax,’ the Ministry’s official statement read on Monday (18/05/2026). The Ministry urged the public to remain vigilant against the spread of fake news attributed to Minister Purbaya.

Previously, the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (CCCI) sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto containing several complaints regarding the investment climate in Indonesia. In the circulating letter, Chinese entrepreneurs highlighted the Export Proceeds from Natural Resources (DHE SDA) policy, which mandates that 50 per cent of export proceeds be deposited in national banks for a minimum of one year. This policy is viewed as potentially disrupting company liquidity and long-term operational activities.

In addition to the DHE SDA, Chinese entrepreneurs also protested planned increases in mineral and coal royalty rates, as well as export duty policies, which are said to potentially increase production costs for the mining and nickel downstreaming industries. Responding to the letter, Purbaya previously stated that the investment relationship between Indonesia and China is reciprocal, noting that the Indonesian government has also raised concerns regarding the business practices of several Chinese companies in Indonesia that are deemed non-compliant with regulations.