RUPIAH SLIGHTLY WEAKENS AGAINST US DOLLAR

Jakarta, Feb. 1 (ANTARA) - The rupiah slightly weakened against the US dollar in the interbank spot market here on Monday morning, however its position at the level of above Rp9,3000 per US dollar was considered normal.

The Indonesian currency traded Rp9,335-Rp9,345 per US dollar, down 15 points from Rp9,320-Rp9,330 per US dollar at the market's close over last weekend.

The rupiah's position at above Rp9,300 per US dollar was still safe after passing the level of Rp9,400 per US dollar for the whole month, according to Kostaman Thayib, banking retail director of PT Bank Mega Tbk.

The local unit still had a chance to strengthen again if the domestic condition was back to normal following major political protests recently, he said.

However, he believed that it would be hard for the rupiah to reach the level of Rp9,100 per US dollar.