Bank Indonesia says benchmark rate already 'near its peak'

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's central bank considers its benchmark interest rate to be "near its peak" but it will maintain its "pre-emptive and ahead the curve" approach, its governor said on Wednesday.

Governor Perry Warjiyo made the remarks at a parliamentary hearing one day before Bank Indonesia is due to announce its latest policy rate decision.

All 20 economists in a Reuters poll said the central bank will maintain the key rate at 6 percent on Thursday.

The rate was raised six times between May and November, by a total of 175 basis points, to slow capital outflows and support the rupiah.

(Reporting by Maikel Jefriando; Writing by Tabita Diela; Editing by Richard Borsuk)