Prabowo Summons Economic Ministers, BI as Rupiah Hits Record Low
Breaking: Prabowo Summons Economic Ministers, BI as Rupiah Hits Record Low
Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto on Monday summoned several top economic officials to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta amid mounting pressure on the rupiah, which weakened to a record low of Rp 17,673 per US dollar.
Officials attending the meeting included Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, and Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani.
Airlangga arrived first at the palace on Monday afternoon, followed by Purbaya, Rosan, and Perry.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Purbaya said he had not yet been informed about the agenda.
“I don’t know yet. I was simply invited. Let’s talk again after the meeting,” Purbaya said.
The meeting took place as the rupiah came under pressure from global market volatility, capital outflows, and investor concerns over domestic economic conditions.
Despite the currency weakness, Purbaya urged the public not to panic, insisting that Indonesia’s economic fundamentals remained strong.
“So there is no need to worry. We are truly improving the economy, and it is already visible in the fourth quarter and the first quarter this year, where growth has accelerated. We will continue to maintain that momentum,” he said.
Purbaya said the government believed pressure on the rupiah would ease soon as authorities gradually stepped into the bond market to stabilize sentiment.
“The government has started entering the bond market little by little, and foreign investors are also beginning to return. So, pressure in the bond market should ease. Usually, when pressure in the bond market declines, negative sentiment toward the exchange rate also decreases,” he said.
He also defended Indonesia’s fiscal position following recent criticism from international observers, saying the state budget remained healthy and well managed.
“Our economic fundamentals are good, our fiscal condition is good. Some economic magazines say our budget is in disarray. No, it is actually very strong, and they do not understand what we are doing,” Purbaya said.
According to Purbaya, the government’s primary focus is on ensuring economic growth remains resilient despite global market turbulence and external pressures.
He added that Indonesia’s growth strategy was not solely dependent on government spending but also aimed at reviving private-sector activity.
“Our strategy is not just government spending. We are also activating the private sector. That is why economic growth could reach 5.6% in the first quarter because the private sector has started moving again, not only the government,” he said.
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