archiveIndonesia

Some of emerging Asia’s biggest central banks look to be dialling back their interventions in the currency market.The central banks of India and Malaysia have reduced the size of some derivatives positions they use to weaken their currencies. Taiwan has allowed its currency to surge against the US dollar in recent weeks and dropped hints it would be comfortable with more if the moves were “orderly”. South Korea’s giant national pension fund has ended its five-month support of the won.A major reason for these moves is a simple change in...

(Updates for afternoon trade) * Taiwan and Indonesia stocks down over 1.5% * Asian FX firm as dollar weakness persists * Trump threatens to double tariffs on steel imports By Roshan Thomas June 2 (Reuters) - Asian equities fell on Monday, dragged by losses in South Korean and Vietnamese steelmakers, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium, while regional currencies held firm against a softer dollar. Trading volumes were thin overall due to a public holiday in the region, with markets in China,...

Indonesia is bulking up its defence regardless. In January, when Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited Jakarta, it was announced that Japan would give Indonesia two high-speed patrol boats and boost regional maritime security cooperation. In 2023, the Indonesian military was the only one from ASEAN that participated in a two-week training exercise between Australia and the US. Experts have pointed out that these war games, called Talisman Sabre, are designed with China in mind. It is a balancing act, however, for Indonesia: Jakarta and Beijing have plans for joint...

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Governor of Bank Indonesia Perry Warjiyo and Governor of the People's Bank of China Pan Gongsheng signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Merdeka Palace to promote the use of local currencies in bilateral transactions. The signing was witnessed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.According to Ramdan Denny Prakoso, Executive Director of BI’s Communication Department, the agreement builds upon a previous arrangement established between the two central banks on September 30, 2020."By expanding the scope of cooperation in bilateral...

A decade ago, a traveler from Singapore visiting Bangkok or Jakarta would likely rely on U.S. dollars or a global credit card to settle the bill. Today, things are changing. A Malaysian tourist in Thailand can pay for street food by scanning a QR code, with money instantly debited from their account in ringgit and credited to the vendor in baht. Such small conveniences are part of a broader, quiet revolt in Southeast Asia – a concerted effort by regional governments to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar in...