This weekend saw Indonesia’s finance minister Dr Sri Mulyani Indrawati involved in negotiations in Washington at the G20 summit. Indonesia was the sole representative of the Asean region at the meeting, and Mulyani faced the delicate task of balancing her country's needs with those of the region. Her president announced on Sunday that Indonesia would not seek direct aid from the IMF, but did not rule out cooperation with the World Bank.
Speaking to Euromoney’s Lawrence White on Friday night, Mulyani addressed Indonesia's currency troubles, the rumours that she tended her resignation over new developments in the Bakrie saga and the question of her own political ambitions.
Euromoney: The rupiah has been the hardest-hit currency in the region over the last month or so, and the central bank has announced further capital controls as a way to try and support it. What role do you see for the ministry of finance in these efforts?
Mulyani: We’re all aware that the global situation is difficult; we’re not dealing with a normal situation here. We have to protect the interests of the economy and Indonesia in general, but I don’t support the idea that countries should fend for themselves.