Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Jul 27
Indonesia Central Bank Chief Resigns After 3 Rate Hikes, Leaving Destry Damayanti in Charge
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Jul 27

Indonesia Central Bank Chief Resigns After 3 Rate Hikes, Leaving Destry Damayanti in Charge

3 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Jul 27

Summary

  • Perry Warjiyo stepped down for personal reasons on Monday, ending his tenure as Bank Indonesia governor after serving since 2018 and into a second term.
  • Destry Damayanti, a deputy governor, was named acting chief as the exit deepened uncertainty over monetary policy in south-east Asia’s largest economy.
  • Three rate hikes since May and heavy intervention have failed to stop pressure on the rupiah, with foreign exchange reserves dropping to a near two-year low of $144.9 billion last month.
  • Warjiyo had faced parliamentary criticism over the currency’s slide, while analysts warned his departure could leave the rupiah more vulnerable to weakness and volatility.
  • The resignation adds to wider concern over Indonesia’s economic management after a new law broadened the central bank’s mandate and the fiscal deficit climbed to 2.92% last year.

Insights

With the rupiah plunging, can a new central bank chief save Indonesia's economy from a looming crisis?
Was the governor's exit truly personal, or a hidden clash over Indonesia's controversial new economic policies?