Prabowo on Rupiah's Decline: People in Villages Don't Use Dollars

President Prabowo Subianto responded calmly to the continued weakening of the Rupiah against the US dollar. Prabowo stated that the Rupiah’s decline doesn’t directly impact the lives of people in rural areas who primarily focus on meeting their basic needs.

He made these remarks during the inauguration of the Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk, East Java, on Saturday (16/5). He initially mentioned those who often claim that Indonesia’s economy is in danger due to the Rupiah’s continued weakening.

“So, I believe that there are always people who I don’t understand. They keep saying that Indonesia will collapse, will be in chaos, and so on, right?” said Prabowo.

Prabowo asked the public not to be too concerned about the Rupiah’s movement against the dollar, which often receives attention. According to him, people in rural areas do not use foreign currency in their daily lives.

The chairman of the Gerindra Party affirmed that Indonesia’s economic resilience remains well-maintained and relatively stable, especially in the food and energy sectors amidst global panic.

“The Rupiah is like this, the Rupiah is like that, what is it? Oh, the dollar is like this. But people in villages don’t use dollars, right? Food is secure, energy is secure. Many countries are panicking, but Indonesia is still okay,” he said.

On the same occasion, Prabowo also highlighted the loyalty of the Indonesian people, which he believes remains steadfast towards the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). However, he believes that some elites or leaders often neglect national interests after gaining power.

“We have many people who, after being given power, but ah, these are the leaders who should be loyal to the NKRI. Not the people, the people are still loyal, they have no choice,” he said.

He regretted the attitude of a few leaders who, he said, only exploit nationalist narratives without taking real action to support ordinary people after holding positions of power.

“There are many leaders who shout about the NKRI, but it’s unclear. Once they have power, they don’t side with their own nation, they don’t side with the Indonesian people,” he said.

The Rupiah’s exchange rate was at Rp17,592 per US dollar on Saturday (16/5). Meanwhile, the Rupiah’s exchange rate was at Rp17,614 per US dollar on Friday (15/5).