Rupiah Approaches Rp18,000, Airlangga: Exports Must Be Boosted!
The government has spoken out regarding the ongoing weakening of the rupiah exchange rate, which continues to approach the psychological level of Rp18,000 per US dollar.
According to Refinitiv data, the rupiah ended trading on Monday (28/09/2026) at Rp17,965/US, representingadepreciationof0.53. Pressure was evident from the start of trading when the rupiah opened weaker by 0.22% at the level of Rp17,920/US$.
Amidst this pressure, the government has chosen to focus on strengthening foreign exchange receipts through an increase in exports.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the government continues to monitor the developments of the rupiah’s movement and the various factors influencing it.
“We are monitoring it first. The government will certainly boost exports so that foreign exchange reserves increase,” said Airlangga at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Monday (28/09/2026).
According to Airlangga, the weakening of the rupiah does not fully reflect the fundamental economic conditions of Indonesia. He assessed that domestic macroeconomic fundamentals are still in a sufficiently good condition.
Consequently, the government does not see a need to change the basic economic assumptions prepared for next year.
“Since we see that the macro conditions are quite good, let us just observe. There are always factors outside of the fundamentals, such as sentiment factors. We must remain balanced,” he said.
This statement comes amidst the ongoing pressure on the ‘Garuda’ currency in recent times. The movement of the rupiah is influenced by global dynamics, ranging from the direction of US interest rate policies to international financial market sentiment.
Even though the rupiah is moving closer to Rp18,000 per US dollar, Airlangga emphasised that the government will maintain the rupiah exchange rate assumptions in the 2027 Draft State Budget (RAPBN).
The government previously set the rupiah exchange rate assumption at Rp17,500 per US dollar in the 2027 RAPBN.
“It will not be changed; we are optimistic,” Airlangga asserted.