Jakarta, May 13 -- Demand for gold bars and coins in Indonesia jumped 47 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from the previous year, according to the World Gold Council (WGC).

The surging demand reflected global trends as investors sought refuge amid economic uncertainty throughout the first quarter.

"Historically, gold has proven to be one of the most reliable crisis hedges for Indonesians," WGC's Head of Asia-Pacific (ex-China) and Global Head of Central Banks, Shaokai Fan, said in a virtual press briefing.

He noted that during the Asian financial crisis of 1997 to 1998 gold helped preserve purchasing power as the rupiah depreciated sharply.

This pattern has repeated during periods of currency weakness and market stress making gold...