Today's Top 3 News: Will a Weaker Rupiah Help Indonesia's Economy Grow?

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Here are the highlights: Students Raise 'Red Card' at South Sumatra Protest: What Are Their Demands?; Fact Check: Will a Weaker Rupiah Help Indonesia's Economy Grow?; and Fact Check: Did Indonesia Sell Rice to Malaysia at Rp10,000?

The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:

1. Students Raise 'Red Card' at South Sumatra Protest: What Are Their Demands?

Hundreds of students from various student organizations in South Sumatra swarmed the regional representatives' office (DPRD) to protest what they referred to as unfavorable policies. The students raised a symbolic "red card" against the government during the protest on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The demonstration today was marked by alternating speeches from student representatives, who raised several issues. Read here to know more about their demands.

2. Fact Check: Will a Weaker Rupiah Help Indonesia's Economy Grow?

A number of videos claiming that the rupiah must be weak for Indonesia to progress have been shared by social media accounts such as Instagram [archive], Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube since mid-May 2026. The videos circulated amidst the weakening rupiah exchange rate against the United States dollar (US$).

The videos featured explanations from content creator Benny Batara Tumpal Hutabarat, also known as Bennix. One of them was posted on Bennix's Instagram account on January 28, 2026. He stated that the weakening rupiah exchange rate against the US$ would encourage Indonesians to innovate to meet domestic needs without importing.

Is it true that the rupiah must weaken to achieve advanced economic status in Indonesia? Read more about it, here.

3. Fact Check: Did Indonesia Sell Rice to Malaysia at Rp10,000?

A number of narratives on social media platforms, including Instagram [archive], Threads, and Facebook, claim that the Indonesian government is planning to export rice to Malaysia for Rp10,000 per kilogram.

This price is substantially lower than the domestic Highest Retail Price (HET). Under current National Food Agency (Bapanas) zoning regulations, the HET for premium rice stands between Rp14,900 and Rp15,800 per kilogram, varying by region across Indonesia.

Is it true that the Indonesian government is selling rice to Malaysia for Rp10,000 per kilogram? Click here to read more.

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