Purbaya Reveals Government Funds Deposited at BI Reach Rp 400 Trillion

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has revealed that the government’s cash position deposited at Bank Indonesia (BI) is substantial, exceeding Rp 400 trillion.

Purbaya explained, based on a report from Director General of the Treasury Astera Primanto Bakti, that the amount of funds idle at BI remains sufficiently large to inject Rp 100 trillion into the banking sector. With this addition, the total funds placed in state-owned bank conglomerates (Himbara) and Bank Jakarta reach approximately Rp 300 trillion.

“(Previously) Rp 200 trillion, I asked, ‘Prim (Primanto), how much money do we have (at Bank Indonesia)?’ (Primanto replied) More than Rp 400 trillion, sir. Inject Rp 100 trillion into the banking sector,” Purbaya clarified during a halal bihalal gathering with reporters on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

The additional funds were injected by Purbaya following observed increases in bond yields. According to him, this rise serves as an early signal of liquidity pressures in the banking sector.

“If the bond yield rises by 0.1%, I pay attention, what’s going on? Up 0.4%, definitely a drought, liquidity shortage in banks or what’s the cause? I check, oh yes, banks are short. I add more to the system,” he said.

Purbaya explained that the Rp 100 trillion injection was made into Himbara and Bank DKI a week before the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday. Nevertheless, he did not detail the amount received by each bank.

“A week before Eid, I added another Rp 100 trillion to the economic system. We maintain liquidity in our financial system seriously,” Purbaya stated.

Furthermore, Purbaya explained that liquidity indicators such as the addition of primary money (M0) and bond yield movements serve as the main benchmarks. According to him, placing funds in banks can encourage them to purchase government debt securities, ultimately helping to suppress yield increases.

“Whether it’s enough, I don’t know. In March, there was an indication of rising yields as mentioned. I think if we want to add, to push it down, there needs to be buyers. Just place the money in banks,” he said.

“Surely banks will look for the easiest option. BI or buy bonds, they can buy bonds. If they buy bonds, it will push the yield down again. Roughly that’s it,” Purbaya emphasised.