
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto considered the current depreciation of the rupiah to be different from two decades ago. He pointed out that between 2004 and 2014, the currency plummeted by 40 percent over a decade. Meanwhile, in 2005, inflation soared to 17 percent, driven by a spike in global oil prices to US$140 per barrel.
Furthermore, Airlangga stated that during the 2014-2024 period, the rupiah depreciated by 30.6 percent, while inflation was kept at 3 percent. "So there is a difference in quality over the last two decades. As of today, we are maintaining our inflation at 2.4 percent and the rupiah's depreciation at 5 percent," Airlangga said during the National Conference on Regional Economic Development at the Jakarta Convention Center on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Airlangga emphasized that the weakening of the local currency should be viewed within a broader context. According to him, Indonesia's economic fundamentals remain resilient, backed by solid banking and corporate sectors.
Echoing this sentiment, Chairperson of the House of Representatives' Commission XI, Mukhamad Misbakhun, argued that the rupiah’s slide to Rp17,600 per US dollar cannot be equated with the 1998 financial crisis. He recalled that during the 1998 meltdown, the exchange rate similarly touched Rp17,800 per US dollar.
Misbakhun explained that back then, the currency suffered a massive crash of several hundred percent in a very short window. "However, at that time, the rupiah collapsed to that level from around Rp2,000 per US dollar. Today, the rupiah at Rp17,000 started from the Rp16,800 mark, moving through a well-preserved volatility process," he said.
The rupiah exchange rate rebounded slightly this morning, gaining 21 points or 0.12 percent to trade at Rp17,696 per US dollar against its previous close of Rp17,717 per US dollar. Doo Financial Futures currency analyst Lukman Leong attributed this uptick to emerging hopes for a peace settlement between the U.S. and Iran.
Meanwhile, market sentiment has started to improve since last Friday when the stock market closed on a positive note. "Nevertheless, the rupiah remains under pressure after current account balance data revealed a widening deficit," Lukman said in Jakarta on Monday, May 25, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Read: Indonesian Rupiah Strengthens to Rp17,696 Per US Dollar
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Rupiah Strengthens to Rp17,696 Per US Dollar
1 jam lalu

The rupiah strengthened by 21 points, or 0.12 percent, to Rp17,696 per US dollar in Monday morning trading from Rp17,717 previously.
Rupiah May Stay Near 17,800 per US Dollar Next Week
1 hari lalu

In Indonesia, the 5.61 percent economic growth is not in line with the strengthening of the rupiah exchange rate.
Prabowo Summons Ex-Ministers from 2008 Crisis Era, Seeking Wisdom?
2 hari lalu

Meeting between Prabowo and economic figures discussing past experiences in dealing with current economic conditions.
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia Among Weakest Currencies, Unhealthy Jakarta Air Quality
2 hari lalu

Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
JCI Opens Lower at 6,065.63, Volatility Expected to Persist
3 hari lalu

Investor sentiment remains pressured by rupiah movements, foreign outflows, US-Iran tensions, and domestic policy uncertainty.
What Anies Baswedan Says on Rupiah Plunge and Its Impact
4 hari lalu

Speaking at UGM, Anies Baswedan warned that the rupiah's historic drop to 18,000 per US dollar directly burdens the public.
List of Weakest Currencies: Where Does Indonesia's Rupiah Stand?
4 hari lalu

Forbes Advisor's 2026 data highlights the 10 weakest currencies in the world. Where does Indonesia's Rupiah stand?
Prabowo Unveils Macroeconomic Assumptions for 2027
4 hari lalu

President Prabowo Subianto outlines the macroeconomic assumptions for the 2027 draft state budget, targeting economic growth of 5.8 to 6.5 percent.
Why Bank Indonesia Raised Its Benchmark Rate to 5.25 Percent
4 hari lalu

Bank Indonesia has raised its benchmark interest rate by 50 bps to 5.25 percent to stabilize the rupiah.
Prabowo Targets Rupiah at 16,800-17,500 per US Dollar by 2027
5 hari lalu

The target exchange rate was set when the rupiah reached a historic low of Rp17,706 per US dollar.
59 menit yang lalu
English (US) ·
Indonesian (ID) ·