Rupiah is volatile, work on strategic projects is not postponed

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - To save the rupiah from weakening, the government will temporarily suspend several infrastructure projects. The aim is to reduce the import of raw materials which have so far contributed to the country's foreign exchange.

But Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi asserted that infrastructure related projects will not be stopped. Because President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has confirmed that the national strategic project (PSN) will not be stopped.

"The president said that national strategic projects have not been stressed, go ahead," he said at the DEA Tower, Jakarta, Thursday (6/9/2018).

Budi also emphasized that projects related to transportation infrastructure were maintained because they were considered to have an impact on the large economy, so it was decided to be maintained.

"In fact, I convey it in a meeting like in (Port) Patimban this will give a blessing to the world of extraordinary sea connectivity. So keep going," he said.

Even so, Jokowi, Budi said, stressed that national strategic projects must be cost efficient, have large local content, and must include local players.

"So we have employment, save foreign exchange, even we can also become our own source of foreign exchange," he added.