President Prabowo Moves to Calm Markets After JCI’s 6 Pct Plunge

Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto is seeking to reassure investors after the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) nosedived 6 percent in a single session, triggering concerns over market stability. A meeting with investors is being arranged as part of efforts to restore confidence.
The JCI tumbled 395.8 points to 6,076 during Tuesday's trading, prompting government officials to respond. The plan for the meeting was disclosed by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, chairman of the National Economic Council.
"The President will meet with market investors," Luhut said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Details on the timing and location of the meeting remain unclear, as Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya is coordinating arrangements, Luhut added.
On Tuesday, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) halted trading at 11:19 a.m. local time for 30 minutes as the index breached the 5 percent decline threshold. However, the JCI rebounded on Wednesday, with IDX reporting a 1.42 percent gain, pushing the benchmark index up 88 points to close at 6,311.
The recovery was partly driven by an intervention from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), which announced a policy allowing share buybacks without shareholder approval, aiming to stabilize market sentiment.
Luhut downplayed concerns over the JCI’s sharp drop, arguing that such volatility is a normal occurrence in financial markets. He also noted that the index had already begun to recover as of Wednesday’s session.
"The President remains cautious regarding fiscal discipline, ensuring that everything is well calculated," Luhut said.
The sharp decline in JCI fueled concerns over weakening investor confidence, though government officials have sought to reassure the market.
“A drop of more than 5 percent signals that Indonesia’s economy is under significant pressure,” Hendra Wardana, founder of Stocknow.id. “Foreign investors are increasingly cautious, although markets are cyclical, and a rebound is possible if economic policies stabilize.”
Investor sentiment has deteriorated as foreign funds continue to exit Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Year-to-date, net foreign outflows have reached more than Rp 26 trillion ($1.58 billion), with the JCI down more than 8.5 percent year-to-date.
Analysts cite mass layoffs before Eid and concerns over upcoming credit ratings from Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s. Downgrades by Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley due to fiscal risks from President Prabowo’s policies have further hurt confidence.
As of February, Indonesia’s budget deficit stood at Rp 31.2 trillion, while debt servicing costs soared to Rp 79.3 trillion in the first two months of 2025. Rising debt burdens could constrain government spending, limiting economic stimulus measures.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Prabowo Likely to Send Jokowi to Pope’s Funeral
Prabowo is skipping Pope Francis' upcoming funeral due to unspecified reasons.Prabowo Unlikely to Attend Pope's Funeral, Will Send Representative
President Prabowo is unlikely to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in person but plans to send an official envoy to represent Indonesia.President Prabowo, Megawati Mourn the Passing of Pope Francis
President Prabowo and Megawati mourn Pope Francis, praising his legacy of peace, humility, and compassion for the poor and marginalized.Prabowo Vows Judicial Reform After Judges Arrested for Bribery
President Prabowo vows legal reforms after top judges, including South Jakarta’s chief, are arrested in a high-profile bribery scandal.Analyst Says ‘Buy on Weakness’ Amid Market Turmoil
She cautioned, however, that investors must manage risks by limiting speculative trades to no more than 30 percent of their portfolio.Indonesia, Qatar Agree on $4B Co-Investment Fund Led by Danantara, QIA
Indonesia and Qatar establish a $4B joint fund to invest in energy, tech, and healthcare, following President Prabowo's visit to Doha.JCI Edges Up as Indonesia-US Begin Trade Talks
JCI inches up as Indonesia opens trade talks with the US over 32% tariffs. Meanwhile, rupiah slips, Antam gold hits record high.At Antalya Forum, Prabowo Warns Against ‘Might Makes Right’ World Order
Prabowo calls for diplomacy, UN reform, and fairer world order at Antalya Forum, warns against global shift to power-based politics.Prabowo: Indonesia Won’t Take Sides in US-China Trade War
President Prabowo says Indonesia won’t take sides in the US-China trade war, urging both powers to reach a fair and peaceful resolution.JCI Suffers Worst Weekly Drop in Years as Trade War Escalates
Jakarta Composite Index drops 3.8% this week as trade tensions rise; Rp35.86t foreign outflows YTD.The Latest
No US Orders for West Java Ceramics Makers as Trade Policies Bite
As of April this year, only two containers of potteries had been shipped to Europe, with no deliveries recorded to the US.Conclave Politics Begin but Many Cardinals Barely Know Each Other
All that is certain about the upcoming conclave is that there is no certainty.What to Know About the Funeral and Burial of Pope Francis
ope Francis, the first Latin American pope, will be buried at St. Mary Major after a Vatican funeral, marking the end of his 12-year papacy.Norwegian Man Found Dead in River in West Sumatra
A 71-year-old Norwegian man was found dead in a West Sumatra river after reportedly falling from a bridge while cycling.W. Java Governor Proposes China-Inspired Military Rehab for Depok Teens
Dedi Mulyadi proposes military-style rehab for troubled Depok teens, citing rising student brawls and parental frustration.Most Popular
