"Referring to Law No. 7 of 2011 about Currencies, BI is mandated to provide rupiah currency throughout Indonesian territory, therefore, we continue to try to distribute it," head of the West Sumatra BI representative office, Wahyu Purnama, said in Padang on Monday.
He delivered the statement while launching the 2022 Sovereign Rupiah Expedition with West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi; West Sumatra Police chief, Inspector General Teddy Minahasa; and Commander of Navy Base II, Padang, First Admiral Endra Sulistiyono, from Pier IV Teluk Bayur Harbor.
Rupiah is not only a medium for payment transactions, but also an identity and a tool to unite the nation as well as a symbol of national sovereignty, Purnama said.
However, distributing rupiah across the country is not an easy feat because Indonesia has the fourth-largest population in the world, which is spread over 17,499 islands, bordering 11 neighboring countries, he added.
Indonesia is also the largest archipelagic country in the world, with water covering 70 percent of its territory.
"The geographical condition of the Republic of Indonesia, which has thousands of islands and limited infrastructure, has affected Bank of Indonesia's scope in providing money to the public, including on islands in the foremost, remote, and outermost areas," he said.
There are still many areas that have not been covered by BI and banks in terms of rupiah circulation, he added.
Then, the diversity in people's education levels has also affected their behavior toward money.
This is reflected in the condition of notes deemed unfit for circulation, the majority of which are worn out because they have been often folded, wetted, or stapled, thereby affecting their quality.
As a means to address that issue, his administration will continue to educate people so that people treat money well.
It will also constantly make efforts to expand the range of services available in all parts of Indonesia through a network of 45 representative offices in Indonesia, in collaboration with banks, the police force, and the National Defense Force, particularly the Navy.
With the fleet-owned and routine operations reaching every corner of the country—from Sabang to Merauke—Bank of Indonesia would be assisted in its task to distribute the rupiah, he said.
Related news: Lawmaker launches 'Love Rupiah Movement' on remote island
Another challenge to rupiah distribution is the possibility of foreign currency use in Indonesian territory, which must be addressed because it concerns state symbols and sovereignty.
Bank of Indonesia has prepared Rp5.9 billion for the Sovereign Rupiah Expedition to Mentawai Islands district from June 27 to July 2, 2022, involving 30 Indonesian Navy personnel and 15 BI employees.
The expedition is scheduled to cover North Pagai Island, South Pagai Island, Sipora Island, Siberut Island (Mailepet), and Siberut Island in Muara Sikabaluan.
Related news: Rupiah strengthens following released January inflation data
Translator: Ikhwan Wahyudi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
