RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Bertu Merlas, said the upcoming establishment of the Indonesian International Financial Center (IIFC) is a strategic step to strengthen Indonesia's position amidst increasing global competition. The center is expected to be a destination for investment, trade, financial services, and financial innovations.

"The presence of this bill deserves appreciation as an effort to provide a legal instrument that provides a foundation for the development of a modern, inclusive, and globally competitive financial center," Bertu said while reading the Islam-based National Awakening Party (PKB) faction's view in Jakarta on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The Party believes that the center is expected to provide real benefits to Indonesia's economy through deepening financial markets, expanding financing access for productive sectors, increasing technology transfer and expertise in financial services, and creating quality jobs, among others. It could also strengthen Indonesia's position as a regional investment hub.

Furthermore, the center-right party believes that the center should not be viewed merely as a regional project, but rather as an instrument for national economic transformation. Its success should be measured by its contribution to increased investment, financial market deepening, job creation, and economic growth.

"IIFC is not just a regional project, but an instrument for national economic transformation. Its success must be measured by its contribution to investment, financial market deepening, job creation, and economic growth," he affirmed.

Bertu later said that its competitiveness is determined not only by fiscal incentives, but also by the quality of governance, legal certainty, institutional integrity, and the trust of business actors and investors. All incentives provided must also be viewed as instruments for achieving development goals and evaluated periodically to ensure their economic and fiscal benefits are truly commensurate.

The Party is pushing for the implementation of the law to adapt to evolving international standards, competition between global financial centers, and the dynamics of the global financial sector. Therefore, he stated, strong synergy is needed between the Ministry of Finance, Bank Indonesia (Indonesia's central bank), the Financial Services Authority (OJK), regional governments, law enforcement officials, and all stakeholders.

On the other hand, the party believes that the DPR's oversight of the center's implementation needs to be results-oriented, focusing not only on administrative compliance but also on increased investment, value-added creation, fiscal contributions, and benefits to the national economy. It is also expected to be a showcase for Indonesian reform, capable of acting as a catalyst for regulatory and institutional improvements at the national level.