Prabowo on the Low Rupiah Exchange Rate: People in Villages Don't Use Dollars

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto responded calmly to concerns from various parties regarding the national economic situation and the weakening of the Rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar.

In a speech at the inauguration of the Ibu Marsinah Museum and Transit House in Nganjuk Regency, East Java, on Saturday (16 May 2026), Prabowo stated that the general public, especially in villages, is not directly affected by fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate.

“People in villages don’t use dollars,” Prabowo said, as quoted from the Setpres YouTube broadcast on Saturday.

Initially, Prabowo explained the government’s efforts to improve relations with several neighbouring countries and international partners as part of the implementation of Indonesia’s foreign policy.

“So, I am improving relations with Singapore, resolving agreements that have been unresolved for more than a decade. With Vietnam, we are resolving them. With China, we are improving them,” said Prabowo.

In addition, Prabowo said that the government continues to maintain good relations with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Thailand.

“With Malaysia, I am trying to ensure that we resolve things well. With PNG, we have good relations. With Australia, we have good relations, with all our neighbours. With Thailand, we have good relations,” he said.

According to Prabowo, this was done as part of the implementation of the foreign policy inherited by the founding fathers of the nation.

However, Prabowo expressed his surprise at the parties that often predict that Indonesia will experience a crisis.

“I believe that there are always people who, for some reason I don’t understand, keep saying that Indonesia will collapse, will be in chaos,” said Prabowo.

“Food is secure. Energy is secure. Many countries are panicking, but Indonesia is still doing okay,” he said.

However, Prabowo reminded the leaders and elites of the country to remain loyal to the interests of the nation and the Indonesian people.

“But the leaders must be loyal to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, not the people, because the people will always be loyal,” said Prabowo.