Richard Borsuk, Jakarta – A top aide to Megawati Sukarnoputri, saying it is currently impossible to use a fixed rupiah exchange rate, reaffirmed that an Indonesian government led by her would stick to the International Monetary Fund's rescue program.

Laksamana Sukardi, a deputy chairman of Ms. Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle and one of her senior economic advisers, assured investors on Tuesday of the party's commitment to the IMF bailout. He described it as "effective in containing the damage" to Indonesia's economy, though he said it isn't effective in restoring what has been damaged.

Mr. Sukardi's remarks at a seminar should dispel concerns of some analysts that a Megawati-led government could move onto a collision course with the IMF. Another Megawati aide, Kwik Kian Gie, said earlier Tuesday that "probably now is the best moment to bring the rupiah down by introducing a fixed rate," according to Reuters news agency. The IMF opposes such a move.

The rupiah has strengthened by a third in three months, hitting 7,240 to the dollar late Tuesday. But Mr. Kwik also said a fixed rate shouldn't be introduced at the cost of breaking ties with the IMF.

Mr. Sukardi said both he and Mr. Kwik are committed "to continue the IMF program." While party members have different views on a fixed exchange rate, the conditions needed to have one, such as huge foreign-exchange reserves, are "presently impossible to meet," Mr. Sukardi said.