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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Anies Criticizes Government's Stance Amidst Weakening Rupiah

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan criticized the government's handling of the weakening Rupiah, which hit a historic low of Rp 17,667 against the US dollar on May 18, 2026.
  • Baswedan argued that the government's lack of transparency and honesty is exacerbating the economic crisis, leading to rising prices, job scarcity, and reduced purchasing power.
  • He urged the government to acknowledge the reality, provide clear and consistent policy direction, and stop offering false assurances to the public.

Jakarta – Former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, has sharply criticized the current administration's approach to managing the nation's economy amidst the severe depreciation of the Indonesian Rupiah. Speaking out on his Instagram account, Baswedan highlighted that the Rupiah has plunged to an unprecedented low of Rp 17,667 against the US dollar as of May 18, 2026, a situation he described as dire and impacting the livelihoods of many Indonesians.

And this impacts the livelihoods of many people.

· Anies BaswedanBaswedan describing the broad impact of the economic crisis on the general population.

Baswedan contends that the economic downturn, characterized by soaring essential goods prices, shrinking job opportunities, and dwindling household savings, is a direct consequence of the government's failure to provide transparency and honesty. He accused state officials of selectively presenting data, showcasing only positive figures while concealing negative realities. This perceived lack of candor, coupled with dismissive remarks from officials and inconsistent policies, has created market confusion and deterred investors, many of whom are reportedly withdrawing their capital from Indonesia.

Adding to his critique, Baswedan pointed to a perceived disconnect between the government's actions and the public's struggles. While citizens are urged to tighten their belts, he observed, the government appears preoccupied with non-priority matters, leading to what he termed "insensitivity." He stressed that the current economic woes cannot be hidden or denied, citing a consensus among domestic economists and international financial institutions predicting further deterioration if corrective measures are not taken promptly.

Data is cherry-picked, only the good is shown, the bad is hidden.

· Anies BaswedanBaswedan accusing the government of manipulating information to create a false sense of security.

"Stop giving sleeping pills to the public. Open the data as it is, convey the problems honestly, provide clear and consistent policy direction," Baswedan urged the government. He called for an acknowledgment of the current reality and a collective effort to find the best solutions. The former presidential candidate also advised the public to prepare for the worst-case scenarios, acknowledging that challenging times lie ahead due to economic pressures, extreme weather threats, and escalating geopolitical tensions, while still maintaining a sense of optimism for overcoming these obstacles together.

Stop giving sleeping pills to the public. Open the data as it is, convey the problems honestly, provide clear and consistent policy direction.

· Anies BaswedanBaswedan's direct appeal to the government for transparency and clear action.
About this summary

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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