SBY's Message to Prabowo: Protect Citizens Affected by Fuel Price Increase

Former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has conveyed a series of messages and proposals to the administration of President Prabowo Subianto in response to the latest economic dynamics. He initially expressed gratitude for ‘good news’, noting that the Rupiah and the Jakarta Composite Index strengthened significantly over two days. ‘Congratulations and thank you to the country and the government. Hopefully, this is a positive beginning and a good sign,’ he said.

According to Yudhoyono, this good news proves that what he said in May 2026 was not wrong. The government, in this case President Prabowo, still possesses the political and economic resources to overcome the current economic pressures.

‘Options and solutions from our monetary and fiscal authorities are still available. The government succeeded in halting the systematic weakening of the Rupiah and the JCI, which was occurring in large amounts consecutively,’ Yudhoyono stated. He added that policies executed by Bank Indonesia, in synergy with the government, were a positive factor in stopping the slump.

‘Otherwise, the weakening of our stocks and currency could be unstoppable. This is because a fusion has occurred between the real economy factors, primarily our fiscal situation and state budget including the crushing debt burden, with psychological factors and unfavourable market perception,’ he explained.

The Chairman of the High Council of the Democratic Party expressed hope that the government would continue taking economic stabilisation measures. ‘Improving the health of our state budget. Limiting and controlling the amount of government debt. Preventing increases in the prices of goods and services that could batter people’s lives,’ Yudhoyono said.

He also called for restoring investor confidence, enhancing more effective communication so that government policies are understood by the people and the market, and halting various speculations and uncertainties. No less important, according to him, is protecting citizens heavily affected by the economic situation, including the impact of the fuel price increase.

‘I know, because I have plenty of experience handling economic pressures like this when leading Indonesia, all these government undertakings naturally require time. Stronger public support is needed. Remember, in crucial things, unity. In important things, dialogue, and accommodating a diversity of constructive views. Rational thinking, appropriate policies, and serious real actions become extremely important,’ he concluded.