Rupiah Slumps, Surya Paloh: Beyond Optimism, What Else Do We Have?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh said the government's capital to improve the rupiah's exchange rate against the US dollar is optimism. Paloh urged the government to continue maintaining optimism in stabilising the rupiah exchange rate. “Besides optimism, what else do we have? Perhaps that is what we need to understand. Our last capital is that optimism itself. Beyond that, I think we don't need to argue; we just have that optimism,” Paloh said at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. “Even if it's over, we have nothing else. But hopefully we can still maintain that optimism,” he added.

According to him, if the Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) continues to plunge, something needs to be evaluated. “Yes perhaps we hope it's only a temporary signal. But if it keeps falling, that is when, as I said, this needs to be evaluated again,” Paloh added.

Earlier, Prabowo will keep the rupiah against the US dollar in the range of Rp 16,800 to Rp 17,500 for 2027. “Our fiscal and monetary strategy must be able to keep our exchange rate stable against world currencies, and we will keep inflation within 1.5 to 3.5 percent,” he added.