Rupiah Weakens, Bandung's Pasar Baru Swarmed by Malaysian Tourists

Groups of Malaysian tourists enthusiastically visited Pasar Baru Trade Center in Bandung City on Wednesday morning (10/6/2026), against the backdrop of the rupiah weakening to Rp 17,953 per US dollar. They visited a number of clothing shops, browsing items from batik to other garments. Republika observed shopkeepers deftly inviting the Malaysian tourists to try on batik and other clothes first. Several other tourists were also seen sorting through garments they intended to buy. A number of tour guides accompanied the tourists who wanted to shop at Pasar Baru Trade Center. One Malaysian tourist, Katy (40), said she and her friends were on holiday in Bandung, with shopping at Pasar Baru being a key activity. She admitted that every holiday to Bandung always includes a visit to Pasar Baru. ‘Coming here to Pasar Baru to look for various interesting and nice goods, like the batiks which are very attractive and lovely,’ she said when interviewed on Wednesday (10/6/2026). She explained that this holiday was also taking advantage of the rupiah’s weakening against the dollar. Consequently, she and her friends could shop for more products. ‘Yes, so it makes shopping here even more enjoyable, we get the advantage of being able to buy many things,’ she revealed. She admitted she would be buying clothes and food as souvenirs for her family in Malaysia. Besides Pasar Baru, she and her group visited Kawah Putih in Bandung Regency and a food souvenir shop. ‘I have been to Bandung several times, it’s enjoyable,’ she said.