Indonesian central bank governor Sudradjat Djiwandono has said
he welcomes efforts by members of the public to sell dollars to support the ailing rupiah, the official
Antara news agency reported on Saturday.
''Yes, yes, yes...I will support efforts to sell dollars,'' he was quoted as telling reporters.
Bank Indonesia's Djiwandono was commenting on the sale of dollars by President Suharto's eldest
daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, at a state-owned bank on Friday in a public bid to restore
confidence in the economy.
Asked if the central bank planned to issue an official statement urging businessmen to sell dollars,
Sudradjat said he was considering the move.
Antara, which gave no further details, said Rukmana sold around $100,000 at a rate of 6,490
rupiah.
The rupiah fell almost 20 percent on Thursday, tumbling below 10,000 to the dollar for the first
time. It rebounded to around 7,900/8,200 to the dollar on Friday. |
