Indonesia’s Central Bank Chief Perry Warjiyo Resigns, Destry Damayanti Named Interim Governor

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — In a major shakeup at the top of Southeast Asia’s largest monetary authority, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo has officially resigned from his position.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi announced the decision during a press briefing at the central bank’s headquarters on Monday morning, revealing that Warjiyo tendered his resignation directly to President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

The sudden exit of a veteran central banker who steered Indonesia through major global market shocks, severe exchange rate volatility, and the COVID-19 pandemic introduces fresh leadership dynamics at Bank Indonesia. Foreign investors and regional markets will closely watch interim leadership to ensure policy continuity, currency stability, and clear communication on benchmark interest rate trajectories.

President Prabowo accepted Warjiyo's resignation in accordance with central bank regulations, expressing high appreciation for his seven-year tenure leading the institution. A formal Presidential Decree is being drafted to finalize his honorable discharge from the post.

Senior Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti will immediately step up to serve as the interim governor, taking over all central banking duties and executive decisions.

"Under the Bank Indonesia Law, the post of Governor of Bank Indonesia is automatically assumed by Senior Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti, who will subsequently carry out all duties as acting governor," Prasetyo Hadi stated on Monday.

A Veteran Technocrat Tested by Crises

Warjiyo, a seasoned technocrat who joined Bank Indonesia in 1984 and holds a Ph.D. from Iowa State University, leaves behind a distinguished career spanning over four decades in economic policymaking.

Throughout his tenure, Warjiyo earned a reputation as a battle-tested policymaker who expertly navigated Indonesia through multiple economic storms. During the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s, he served in crucial monetary analysis and governor advisory roles, helping formulate foundational policy responses.

He later represented the South East Asian Voting Group at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington during the 2007–2008 Global Financial Crisis. Following his appointment as central bank chief in May 2018, Warjiyo immediately faced intense emerging market currency pressure, orchestrating swift, preemptive rate hikes to stabilize the Indonesian rupiah ($1 = Rp 15,900 approx.). He subsequently launched massive monetary easing, debt burden-sharing, and digital payment transformations to shield the domestic economy during the pandemic in 2020.