Prabowo Surprised by Panic Over Rupiah Weakening: Indonesia Still in Good Shape
President Prabowo Subianto spoke about the continued weakening of the Rupiah against the US dollar. Prabowo assured that Indonesia’s current economic condition is still very stable.
This was conveyed by Prabowo in his speech during the inauguration of the Ibu Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk, East Java, Saturday (16/5/2026). He initially mentioned parties who said that Indonesia’s economic condition was in danger because the Rupiah continued to weaken.
“I am sure that now there are people who, I don’t know why, keep saying that Indonesia will collapse, will be in chaos, what else? The Rupiah is like this, the dollar is like that. But the people in the villages don’t use dollars, do they?” said Prabowo.
Prabowo expressed his surprise at the parties that continue to spread negative narratives about national economic resilience. According to him, in the midst of the panic of many countries, Indonesia is actually in a safe position.
“Food, energy is secure. Many countries are panicking, Indonesia is still okay. We have been given a lot by the Almighty,” he added.
The former Minister of Defence revealed one piece of evidence of Indonesia’s economic resilience, which is helping other countries in the matter of fertiliser and food. He said that several large countries are now buying their needs from Indonesia.
“Now I received a report from the Minister of Agriculture that many countries are asking for fertiliser from Indonesia. Australia asked us for help, we sell 500 thousand tons of urea to Australia. The Philippines also asked, as did India, Bangladesh, and Brazil. Imagine if we were not self-sufficient, if we had not quickly resolved the agricultural problem,” said Prabowo.
In addition to internal factors, Prabowo said that this stability is also supported by the ‘good neighbour policy’ that is being implemented. By maintaining good relations with China and neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, Indonesia can focus on building the domestic economy.
“So I fixed the relationship with Singapore, the agreements that have not been resolved for decades, we resolved them. With Vietnam, we resolved them, Mr. Jokowi and I, we resolved everything. With China, we fixed it,” he said.
On that occasion, Prabowo emphasised that leaders and state officials must truly be loyal to Indonesia and side with the people, rather than using power for personal interests.
“Leaders must be loyal to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. The people, they will definitely be loyal, there is no choice,” he added.
“There are many leaders who shout about the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia but it is not clear. Once they have power, they do not side with their own nation, they do not side with the Indonesian people,” he added.