Prabowo Jests About the Rising Dollar Exchange Rate: 'As Long as Purbaya Can Smile, There's No Need to Worry'

During the inauguration of 1,061 Desa Merah Putih cooperatives in Nganjuk, East Java, President Prabowo Subianto made light of the rising dollar exchange rate against the rupiah, stating that as long as Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa remains cheerful, the country’s financial situation is secure.

This was conveyed by Prabowo on Saturday, 16 May 2026.

Initially, the Head of State expressed his gratitude to the members of the Merah Putih Cabinet for their cooperation in building Indonesia.

“Thank you, the cooperatives will prove to be a source of pride for all of us. I thank the Coordinating Minister for Food, all these ministers are one team, it wouldn’t be possible without a united team,” said Prabowo.

“What if the Minister of Home Affairs doesn’t support it? It wouldn’t be possible. What if the Regent doesn’t support it? It wouldn’t be possible. What if the Village Head doesn’t support it? It wouldn’t be possible. The Minister of Home Affairs, the Governor, all the way down. What if the TNI doesn’t support it? It wouldn’t be possible. What if the National Police Chief doesn’t support it? It wouldn’t be possible. This is teamwork. The entire team is working,” he continued.

Prabowo then explained the role of each Minister in carrying out their duties. Including the management of the country’s finances, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.

He also mentioned Purbaya, who is currently very popular. Prabowo said that the financial situation is still stable as long as Purbaya is smiling.

“Some ministers take care of legal and legal matters, some take care of finances. Purbaya is very popular now. As long as Purbaya can smile, rest assured, there’s no need for you to worry,” he said.

According to him, fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate do not need to be overly worried about by people at the village level. He believes that the direct impact of the weakening or strengthening of the rupiah is more felt by groups who frequently transact or travel abroad.

“No matter how many thousands of dollars it is, you in the villages don’t use dollars. It’s those who are concerned, those who like to go abroad. Who is this? Mbak Titiek is concerned. Who else is this? Ministers, entrepreneurs, let me check where they are,” he added.

Prabowo also affirmed that Indonesia’s economic fundamentals are strong. Therefore, he asked the public to continue to believe in Indonesia’s strength.