How Trading Halts Work and Indonesia’s Worst Market Crashes
Jakarta. The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) halted trading on Tuesday after the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) plummeted 5 percent during morning trade, marking its lowest level since September 2021. The index later trimmed losses but still closed 3.84 percent lower at 6,223.39.
“A drop of more than 5 percent signals that Indonesia’s economy is under significant pressure,” said Hendra Wardana, founder of Stocknow.id. “Foreign investors are becoming increasingly cautious, although markets are cyclical, and a rebound is possible if economic policies stabilize.”
How Trading Halts Work
A trading halt is a temporary suspension of stock market transactions to maintain market stability and prevent drastic price declines in a short period.
Under IDX regulations, a trading halt is imposed for 30 minutes if the JCI falls more than 5 percent in a single trading day. If the index drops beyond 10 percent, trading is halted again for another 30 minutes.
In cases where the JCI declines by more than 15 percent, the IDX can implement a trading suspension, which may last until the end of the trading session or longer, subject to approval by the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
During a trading halt, all stock transactions are temporarily suspended, preventing investors from buying or selling assets. The exchange may halt trading for the entire market or specific stocks experiencing extreme volatility.
Historical Market Crashes
The latest market turbulence adds to a series of significant downturns in the JCI’s history. Here are some of the worst declines:
- October 14, 2002: Two days after the Bali bombings that killed 202 people, the JCI plunged 10 percent as investor panic gripped the market.
- August 5, 2003: A terrorist attack on Jakarta’s JW Marriott Hotel triggered a 3.05 percent drop in the index, adding to security concerns.
- October 8, 2008: The index plummeted 10.38 percent amid the global financial crisis, forcing the IDX to halt trading. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held an emergency meeting to address the situation.
- November 11, 2016: The JCI fell 4.01 percent as foreign investors pulled out Rp 2 trillion ($140 million), driven by political uncertainty.
- August 13, 2018: The index dropped 3.55 percent, weighed down by a weakening rupiah and concerns over Indonesia’s widening current account deficit.
- March 9, 2020: As COVID-19 fears gripped global markets, the JCI tumbled 6.58 percent, triggering multiple trading halts. The index ultimately hit its lowest level in over a decade, falling below 4,000 by late March.
Related Articles
Stocks Climb 1% as Indonesia’s Reserves, Airport Operations Recover
Indonesian stocks rose 1% as stronger foreign reserves and airport reopenings lifted domestic market sentiment.Indonesian Stocks Rise as Budget Pressure, LPG Cuts Loom
JCI rises 0.3% as investors weigh higher reserves against tighter fiscal space and a lower 2027 energy subsidy budget.Indonesia Stocks Close Lower as Middle East Risks Offset FX Reserves
Indonesian stocks fell 0.25% as Middle East tensions and strong US jobs data weighed on sentiment despite robust foreign reserves.Indonesian Stocks Swing After Higher Open as Fed,Geopolitical Risks Loom
Indonesian stocks opened 0.24% higher but turned volatile as investors weighed Fed rate bets, US-Iran tensions and global trade risks.JCI Falls 0.47% as Weekend Profit-Taking Hits Indonesian Stocks
The JCI fell 0.47% to 6,636 on Friday as weekend profit-taking outweighed optimism over planned efficiency in the MBG budget.Gold ETFs Open New Investment Options on Indonesia Stock Exchange
Gold ETFs offer Indonesian investors a new way to gain exposure to gold prices without buying or storing physical gold.Indonesian Stocks Rise as Fed Bets and MBG Savings Lift Sentiment
Indonesian stocks opened higher Friday as Wall Street gains and expectations of MBG budget savings boosted investor sentiment.Indonesian Stocks Rally as Destry’s BI Appointment Boosts Confidence
Indonesia’s JCI jumped 1.09% on Thursday as confidence in BI’s leadership transition and improving global sentiment lifted stocks.Jakarta Stocks Open Higher as Regional Markets Gain, Bond Yields Keep Investors Cautious
Jakarta stocks opened 0.55% higher on Thursday as regional gains lifted sentiment despite concerns over rising global bond yields.Indonesian Stocks Slip as Rising US Bond Yields Rattle Markets
Indonesian stocks edged lower as a global bond sell-off lifted yields, pressuring risk assets amid renewed inflation concerns.The Latest
Rupiah Strengthens to Rp17,632 on Reserve Boost
The rupiah rose 0.05% to Rp17,632 as higher foreign exchange reserves offset geopolitical risks and US inflation concerns.Stocks Climb 1% as Indonesia’s Reserves, Airport Operations Recover
Indonesian stocks rose 1% as stronger foreign reserves and airport reopenings lifted domestic market sentiment.Volcano Eruption Cancels 14,000 Indonesian Umrah Pilgrims’ Trips
These Indonesian pilgrims were supposed to travel to Saudi Arabia between September 5 (Friday) and September 7 (Monday).256 Students Affected by Suspected Free Meal Poisoning
Several Karo students remain under treatment weeks after 256 students fell ill in a suspected free nutritious meal poisoning incident.Indonesia’s Disaster Resilience Is Key to Economic Competitiveness: Kadin Institute
Kadin urges Indonesia to strengthen economic resilience as Anak Krakatau and karhutla disrupt transport and threaten business continuity.Most Popular
