Ricky Juliansyah, Jakarta – Student Executive Board of University of Indonesia, known as BEM UI, has criticized the government over recent remarks downplaying the impact of the weakening rupiah on rural communities.

The criticism was directed at President Prabowo Subianto after he reportedly said fluctuations in the U.S. dollar exchange rate do not significantly affect people living in villages.

"To the President and the Finance Minister, stop misleading the public. The people are not as ignorant as leaders who choose to ignore the real conditions on the ground," BEM UI chairman Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan said in a written statement received on Sunday evening, May 17, 2026.

Yatalathof, commonly known as Athof, said he was surprised by what he described as the President's lack of understanding regarding the effects of a stronger dollar on rural communities.

"Whether the President is uninformed or his subordinates are failing to explain the situation, the reality is that rural communities are highly vulnerable when the dollar exchange rate continues to rise," Athof said.

According to him, a weaker rupiah increases the cost of imported goods and commodities, including fertilizer, which could hurt farmers' incomes. He also warned that higher exchange rates could push up fuel prices because Indonesia still relies on imported energy supplies.

"Fishermen will face losses, and the cost of living for workers and ordinary families will rise as prices at local shops increase," he added.

Athof also criticized Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa for expressing optimism about Indonesia's economic outlook, calling the government's narrative disconnected from reality.

"The Finance Minister said people should not panic because Indonesia's economic fundamentals are strong," Athof said.

"But if the fundamentals are truly strong, why is the rupiah among the weakest currencies in Southeast Asia?"

He questioned whether the government was accurately assessing the country's economic conditions or merely relying on political rhetoric.

BEM UI subsequently urged the government to stop what it described as "hallucinations and misleading narratives" about the economy.

"The public feels the impact directly, unlike officials who do not have to worry about tomorrow's living costs," Athof said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2104065/bem-ui-urges-prabowo-to-stop-misleading-public-on-econom