Indonesia central bank hikes rates amid fiscal worriesーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:00]Indonesia's Central Bank has decided to sharply hike its key interest rate amid a rapidly weakening rupiah and inflation worries. Policy makers rose the rate by 0.5% points to 5.25%.

[00:00:15]The move marks the first interest rate increase in about 2 years. With global crude oil prices up following the situation in the Middle East, Indonesia has kept fuel prices low with subsidies.

[00:00:26]This added to concerns about the country's finances in the foreign currency market, which dragged down Indonesia's rupiah to a record low against the dollar.

[00:00:35]Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto says his country will tighten export controls for several natural resources, such as palm oil and coal. He said they must be sold through state-owned enterprises designated as sole exporters by the government.

[00:00:51]Jakarta says companies and exporters have underreported sales and evaded taxes.

[00:00:57]The total amount of underreporting is estimated to be more than $900 over a 34-year period through 2024.

[00:01:06]Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil.

[00:01:09]Prabowo said his country is accelerating the production of diesel fuel from it to reduce dependence on imported oil. He added that the production of gasoline from palm oil is also being studied.

[00:01:23]Malaysia's foreign minister visited Myanmar on Tuesday and met with his counterpart appointed by the country's military-backed government. The top Malaysian diplomat said Myanmar showed positive signs towards talks with the country's opposition.

[00:01:37]Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan met Tin Maung Swe, the foreign minister in the government launched after a recent military-led election.

[00:01:47]Fighting continues between the military and pro-democracy and ethnic minority forces.

[00:01:52]Mohamad said he told the Myanmar side to stop the violence and atrocities against its people. He noted that the country appears to be more open to talks with the opposition.

[00:02:02]The visit came after ASEAN leaders met in the Philippines earlier this month and discussed Myanmar.

[00:02:08]They took a cautious stance towards its new government as its members hold varying positions on key issues.

[00:02:14]Mohamed said he will prepare a report on his visit to help ASEAN formulate its approach towards Myanmar.

[00:02:21]Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya Muslims continue to face a severe humanitarian crisis. Some who fled to refugee camps in Bangladesh are risking their lives in search of safety and a better future.

[00:02:33]Now, a Japanese director's new film is drawing attention for its powerful portrayal of their plight. NHK World's Matsumoto Yuzuru reports.

[00:02:46]Lost Land is based on true accounts.

[00:02:49]It follows two Rohingya children who are brother and sister.

[00:02:56]They leave a refugee camp in Bangladesh and embark on a dangerous journey to reunite with their [music] family in Malaysia.

[00:03:07]The voyage is brutal.

[00:03:09]Weeks at sea, scarce food, violence from human traffickers with some refugees not surviving.

[00:03:17]The film portrays the Rohingya refugees' suffering with stark realism.

[00:03:24]Director Fujimoto Akio has spent more than a decade working in film, including projects in Myanmar.

[00:03:32]He says he was driven to make the film by guilt he felt over staying silent about the Rohingya crisis.

[00:03:41]I wasn't really able to interact with Rohingya people or even speak about them openly.

[00:03:48]As a filmmaker, I carried a deep sense of guilt about that.

[00:03:53]The cast consists of non-professional actors.

[00:03:56]About 200 Rohingya refugees appear in the film.

[00:04:08]The movie was made in the Rohingya language, said to be a world first.

[00:04:15]In a situation where their culture and language have continuously been taken away, the question is how to preserve them for the future.

[00:04:24]It's important that the real expressions, voices, and looks of Rohingya people remain in this film.

[00:04:32]Instead of a strict script, Fujimoto encouraged improvisation to let authentic words and emotions emerge naturally from the performance.

[00:04:50]Improvisations also led to unexpected scenes.

[00:05:14]The refugees' hope for the future, even in despair, deeply moved Fujimoto.

[00:05:20]The film has been praised for its innovative production and compassionate portrayal of refugee life.

[00:05:29]Last year, it won the special Orizzonti Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival.

[00:05:39]After completing the film, Fujimoto visited refugee camps in Bangladesh.

[00:05:45]How do you feel?

[00:05:46]There, at the registration center and an educational facility, he again witnessed the harsh reality Rohingya people face.

[00:05:57]The Rohingya aren't the only people who have been forced from their homes.

[00:06:03]I hope the film makes the audience aware that we live in the same world.

[00:06:10]As countless refugees around the world still suffer the loss of freedom, Fujimoto believes there is still much work to be done.

[00:06:19]Matsumoto Yuzuru, NHK World.

[00:06:24]That's the top of our bulletin. I'm Cholopansa Narula in Bangkok.