BI to stick to data in deciding any rate cuts

Jakarta

BANK Indonesia would consider loosening monetary policy if inflation and the current account deficit were under control, a view "in line" with recent government comments that the country should cut rates gradually, said Peter Jacobs, a director at the central bank.

The authority will be data dependent in its decisions, Mr Jacobs said in an interview on Tuesday. President Joko Widodo and vice-president Jusuf Kalla met governor Agus Martowardojo last week and didn't ask for a cut, and there was no clash over rates, he said.