21 May 2026 International Economy BI raised the interest rate by 50 bps to 5.25% due to currency vulnerability (Business Brief No.4269 Full Ed.) คะแนนเฉลี่ย คะแนนเฉลี่ย 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Bank Indonesia (BI) resolved to raise the policy rate by 50 basis points (bps) to 5.25 percent. This marks its first rate hike in two years, making Indonesia the second ASEAN country, after the Philippines, to re-enter a monetary tightening cycle. This move reflects BI’s greater emphasis on currency stability amid pressures from capital outflows and rising fiscal risks.The key reason stems from the Rupiah continuously hitting new record lows. During intraday trading on May 20, 2026, the currency touched a new low of IDR 17,745/USD, ranking as the second-weakest currency in Asia after the Indian Rupee. This reflects structural vulnerabilities and persistent capital outflow pressures, as well as investor concerns over economic policy stability, the fiscal position, and overall confidence in Indonesia’s financial markets. Additionally, persistently high global oil prices may increase risks to inflation and the government’s energy subsidy burden.KResearch assesses that BI may implement further monetary tightening in the upcoming period if the Rupiah continues to depreciate and inflationary pressures keep rising due to global energy prices. A weaker currency would further increase import costs and the fiscal burden from energy subsidies, potentially forcing the government to gradually scale back fuel subsidies, which could in turn lead to broader inflationary pressures across the economy. View full article Login / Register Or Enter the code from the poll Annotation This research paper is published for general public. It is made up of various sources. Trustworthy, but the company can not authenticate. reliability The information may be changed at any time without prior notice. Data users need to be careful about the use of information. The Company will not be liable to any user or person for any damages arising from such use. The information in this report does not constitute an offer. Or advice on business decisions Anyhow. International Economy Indonesia Related Analysis View all 14 Mar 2018 International Economy Thailand must brace for trade disputes between the US, EU and China, etc. (Current Issue No. 2905) The US is pressing ahead with trade measures against trade partners globally. In addition to their new ‘safeguard tariffs’ on imported solar panels and large washing machines imposed early in 2018, and more recently on imported steel and aluminum, the US is now preparing to implement protectionist measures against Chinese products valued at around USD60 billion. This direction will likely add significant pressure to global trade, thus, KResearch views that all eyes should be closely kept on negotiations between the US and EU, both being among the largest economies in the world. Details on those negotiations are expected to be released before the relevant ‘safeguard tariffs’ on steel and aluminum become effective at the end of next week. If the EU and China are exempted from these new tariffs, prevailing anxiety will ease. But to the contrary, without such exemptions, China and the EU may opt to implement their own trade protectionist measures against the US, as well. This situation would likely escalate into further actions and reactions, incurring significant damage to trade that could spill over to other regions of the world.... Read more 0 KB 0 KB 2 Mar 2018 International Economy Planned New US Tariffs on Metal Imports Triggering More Intense Trade Protectionism (Current Issue No. 2903) Throughout 2018, the US administration’s continual pursuit of protectionist trade measures has tended to increase volatility in global trade. Most recently, President Donald Trump announced that new “safeguard” tariffs would be imposed on steel and aluminum imports at 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Although no details have been released yet, it seems undeniable that trade with the US will become difficult, going forward.... Read more 0 KB 0 KB 6 Mar 2018 International Economy China’s 2018 Economic Targets Reflect Slower Economic Growth, while Monetary and Fiscal Policies are Still Being Used to Sustain Economic Growth Ahead (Business Brief No.3730) All eyes were on the National People’s Congress, March 5, 2018, because the ruling Communist Party proposed constitutional a... Read more 0 KB 0 KB 26 Jan 2018 International Economy Fed Meeting Expected to Maintain Rate Leaving Room for Increasing Rate Later (Business Brief No.3725) KResearch expects the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to maintain their policy rate at 1.25-1.50 percent during their first round of meeting o... Read more 0 KB 0 KB 26 Dec 2017 International Economy The Philippines: Rising Market of ASEAN (Current Issue No. 2887 Full Ed.) Thai exports to ASEAN-5 (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei) account for 59.3 percent of our total exports to the entire AS... Read more 0 KB 0 KB 19 Dec 2017 International Economy Chinese Economy Continues Momentum to Yearend Growth next year inches toward balance, Focus on Reforms (Business Brief No.3719) China's latest economic indicators show that the Chinese economy has maintained momentum. Although China’s domestic eco... Read more 0 KB 0 KB View all