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Indonesia Markets Slide on Export Control Fears

Bloomberg Markets •
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Indonesian markets slumped as traders bet the government will centralize commodity exports to manage capital outflows and shore up a weakening rupiah. The speculation centers on a move to consolidate control over palm oil, coal, and nickel shipments, which would let authorities steer foreign currency inflows more directly. Investors sold equities on fears that tighter state oversight could squeeze private-sector access to export revenue.

Behind the selloff sits a rupiah under pressure. The currency has dropped sharply, and policymakers are weighing export controls as one response. Centralizing commodity sales would give the government greater leverage over capital flows, but it also raises concerns about trade disruption. Palm oil futures rose even as equities fell, suggesting some traders see upside in tighter export conditions.

The market reaction reflects anxiety that heavy-handed intervention could disrupt established trade channels and hurt margins for exporters. Indonesian commodity giants face pressure from both a weaker currency and the possibility of losing autonomy over their own shipments.