Rupiah Still Weak, U.S. Dollar Closes Higher at Rp17,695

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The rupiah again ended the session weaker against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday (19 May 2026). Refinitiv data show the rupiah closed down 0.31% at Rp17,695 per US.AlthoughitslightlyretreatedfromtheRp17, 700areaperUS, this level remains the all-time closing low for the rupiah.

Weakness in the rupiah was evident from the early trade. At the opening this morning, the rupiah opened 0.06% weaker at Rp17,650 per US.Pressuresubsequentlydeepened, withtherupiahbreachingthepsychologicalRp17, 730perUS level during intraday trading.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which measures the greenback against six major currencies, was seen moving relatively steady. As of 15:00 WIB, the DXY stood at 99.172.

Rupiah weakness also drew a response from the government. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the pressure on the rupiah against the U.S. dollar has not been too severe.

For now, the government is relying on funds from the state budget to manage market sentiment in the government securities market, around Rp2 trillion per day.

Purbaya explained that the government would only use the Bond Stabilisation Fund (BSF) framework if the pressure in the market is much heavier. The scheme would involve a public service body (BLU) under the Ministry of Finance.

“Ini baru cash management. Kalau framework nanti saya panggil SMV (special mission vehicle/BLU) dan lain-lain untuk ikut. Tapi sekarang belum separah itu, keadaannya masih relatif lumayan lah,” Purbaya told reporters at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday (19 May 2026).

Regarding the Rp2 trillion daily amount set aside to stabilise sentiment in the government securities market, Purbaya said only about Rp600 billion had been absorbed for interventions in the government bonds.

He noted that the Rp600 billion amount corresponds to the value of government securities sold to foreign investors. He also explained that government interventions in the debt market have been in progress since Thursday of last week through Monday.

“From Thursday last week a little. Yesterday a little more. Now I’ll see how it goes,” he added.