Indonesia walks a fine line between bailouts and downgrades

Indonesia walks a fine line between bailouts and downgrades

Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg

Since surviving an IMF bailout and violent change of government during the Asian financial crisis, Indonesia has shown an uncanny resilience in bouncing back from global selloffs. As soon as the dust settles, investors are lured by higher yields and the promise of a young and vibrant population. Foreigners now own more than 30% of the country’s sovereign debt.