May 24, 2026 | 07:34 am
Roadside Money Changers. Lafaeknews.com
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director of PT Traze Andalan Futures, Ibrahim Assuaibi, predicts that the exchange rate of the Indonesian rupiah will still be around Rp17,000 per US dollar at the opening of trading next Monday. The value continues the weakening trend after the closing of trading yesterday at Rp17,712 per dollar."For one week, most likely at around Rp17,680-17,800 per dollar," he said on Friday, May 22, 2026.According to him, the influencing factors are the global conditions that are still uncertain, especially regarding the war between the United States-Israel and Iran. Then the change of Federal Reserve Chair from Jerome Powell to Kevin Warsh has not confirmed a policy to lower interest rates, instead, there is a possibility to raise it by up to 50 basis points.Domestically, the 5.61 percent economic growth is not in line with the strengthening of the rupiah exchange rate. Although at present, the government buys State Bonds in the secondary market for Rp2.2 trillion, as an intervention measure to maintain the rupiah exchange rate from being further pressed.Ibrahim also assesses the speech of President Prabowo Subianto regarding the establishment of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)-PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia-that regulates the export of natural resource commodities, disturbing the market. "This could possibly lead to a monopoly and here is what's causing the outflow of foreign capital and the weakening of the rupiah," Ibrahim said.Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the rupiah exchange rate will not collapse like in 1998. Although currently, the rupiah-dollar exchange rate has exceeded the weakest point at Rp16,500 per dollar at that time.Purbaya predicts that in June there will be a significant supply of dollars to the Indonesian economy. He also urges foreign exchange or forex players to sell dollar assets immediately."If I may say, forex players, sell quickly. We will push the rupiah towards Rp15,000," he said at the Jogja Financial Festival event on Friday, May 22, 2026.The Indonesian government, Purbaya said, is currently entering the bond market so that the yield does not rise too high. Foreign parties also do not have to be forced to withdraw due to losses.Read: List of Weakest Currencies: Where Does Indonesia's Rupiah Stand?Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
