1.   Indonesian stocks fell, as a weakening rupiah made foreign debt more expensive, raised the cost of borrowing, and increased the likelihood of an economic slowdown.

2.   Soetopo said a strong rupiah might make it harder for Indonesian goods to compete with products from neighboring countries.

3.   The decision comes as the plunging value of the Thai baht and the Indonesian rupiah make it almost impossible for local companies to repay foreign debt and purchase imports.

4.   The plunging rupiah makes it next to impossible for these companies to service their debt, triggering defaults.

5.   Interest rates have fallen and the rupiah has made a partial recovery in recent weeks, although a full economic recovery is expected to take years.

6.   The volatile rupiah makes it difficult for any company to do business, let alone to plan ahead.