Regarding 'Villages Do Not Use Dollars', DPR Urges Citizens Not to Misinterpret

The Chairman of Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), M. Misbunch, has requested that the public does not misinterpret President Prabowo Subianto’s statement that villagers do not use the US dollar. This statement was made amidst significant volatility in the rupiah’s exchange rate against the dollar.

According to Misbakhun, the President intended to calm the public in the face of high exchange rate fluctuations. He noted that the President’s message was an implicit attempt to maintain psychological stability, as Indonesia’s economic fundamentals remain strong, a sentiment echoed by Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo.

Misbakhun emphasised the importance of preventing widespread anxiety, stating that the issue of the US dollar should not become a source of panic in everyday social settings. While acknowledging that the weakening exchange rate does impact the population, he noted that the DPR has urged Bank Indonesia to perform measured monetary operations to strengthen the rupiah, specifically aiming for the political agreement level of Rp16,500, as stipulated in the state budget assumptions.

President Prabowo’s remarks, made during the inauguration of 1,061 Red and White Village Cooperatives in Nganjuk, East Java, have drawn significant attention. During the event, the President suggested that the impact of the rupiah’s depreciation is felt more by those who frequently travel or transact abroad rather than by rural populations.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa also clarified the President’s position, explaining that Prabowo is well aware of the current rupiah situation. He noted that the President’s comments were made within the specific context of the village cooperatives’ operations and were intended to provide reassurance to the people.