Purbaya Responds to President Prabowo's Query Regarding US Dollar at Halim
JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto questioned Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa regarding the strengthening exchange rate of the US dollar during their meeting at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, Jakarta, on Monday morning. When asked by the media, Purbaya clarified that the dollar’s movement falls under the jurisdiction of Bank Indonesia. He noted that despite the weakening rupiah, Indonesia’s economic foundations remain strong.
“The dollar is the central bank’s responsibility; we are focusing on the fact that the economic foundations are good, and that is all,” Purbaya stated following a meeting with President Prabowo at the Palace in Jakarta on Monday night. The two-hour limited meeting was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani, and the Governor of Bank Indonesia, Perry Warjiyo.
According to Purbaya, the President’s inquiries focused on the state of the economy and the national budget. “It was not about the rupiah. Regarding the rupiah, he only asked if the economic conditions and the budget are good; they are good and there are no issues, the economic foundations are truly solid. However, there will be a need for better communication to the markets and investors regarding the situation,” he explained.
It was noted that President Prabowo raised the issue of the US dollar situation with Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa at the conclusion of a ceremony for the handover of several main weapons systems (alutsista) to the TNI at Halim Perdanakusuma. Shortly after the event, the Head of State was heard asking about the dollar. “How is the dollar?” Prabowo asked with a laugh.
During the exchange, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin mentioned that Purbaya was preparing to depart for the Holy Land to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. “He is about to go on Hajj, Sir,” the Defence Minister remarked. At that moment, Purbaya’s specific response was not clearly audible or visible to the media present at the location. Also present during the discussion were the Chairman of Commission I of the DPR, Utut Adianto, along with Deputy Chairmen Budi Djiwandono and Anton Sukartono.