New Rupiah Represents Indonesia's Diversity

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - On December 19, President of the Republic of Indonesia officially launched 11 (eleven) Rupiah banknotes for the 2016 Emission Year (EY).

The official launch marked the eleven banknotes as becoming valid currency in the Republic of Indonesia.

The new notes are the Rp100,000, Rp50,000, Rp20,000, Rp10,000, Rp5,000, Rp2,000 and Rp1,000, while the new coins are Rp1,000, Rp500, Rp200, and Rp100.

Indonesia's founding fathers, Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, are featured on the Rp100,000 note, while Djuanda Kartawidjaja and Sam Ratulangi are on the Rp50,000 and Rp20,000 notes.

Additionally, Frans Kaisepo, Idham Chalid, Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin, and Tjut Meutia are featured on the Rp10,000, Rp5,000, Rp2,000, and Rp1,000 notes.
Other national heroes portrayed on the new coins are I Gusti Ketut Pudja, TB Simatupang, Tjiptomangunkusumo and Herman Johannes.

Officials note that the pictures of 12 national heroes on the new editions of the rupiah currency represent the diversity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Displaying images of national heroes and heroines is a recognition of the nation¿s appreciation for their extraordinary contributions to Indonesia. In addition, the spirit of heroism and patriotic values of these national heroes are expected to serve as role models, primarily for Indonesia¿s young generations.

To further introduce the diverse arts, culture, and natural abundance of Indonesia, Rupiah bills also display images of dances and natural scenery of areas in Indonesia. Natural and cultural diversity and uniqueness displayed in Rupiah banknotes are expected to evoke the love of Indonesia.

Governor of Bank Indonesia Agus Martowardojo said that the issuance of new editions of the rupiah, featuring pictures of 12 national heroes, contained five meanings.

"Firstly, the government put the phrase of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) on the rupiah, as a symbol of the sovereignty of Indonesia," he said.

Secondly, he remarked on the use of the rupiah as the sole currency of payment instruments in Indonesia.

"The use of foreign currency is not in line with the spirit of nationalism. The violation can be prosecuted and penalized, except for transactions that are allowed by the law," he said.

Thirdly, Bank Indonesia has the responsibility of publishing and circulating the rupiah, in an attempt to meet the country's needs.

"Fourthly, the rupiah must be maintained by Indonesian people, as the currency becomes a symbol of national sovereignty," he affirmed.

He added that the government featured national heroes, and characteristic cultures of various regions in Indonesia on the rupiah.

"There are traditional dances, Indonesian landscapes, and national heroes on the rupiah. The pictures of national heroes becomes a tribute to them," he pointed out.


Legal Grounds
BI executive director of communications Tirta Segara said under Law Number 7 of 2011 on the Currency (the Currency Law), the Rupiah is the only legal tender in the Republic of Indonesia. Rupiah is one of the symbols of state sovereignty, which must be respected and a source of pride of all Indonesian citizens.

"Therefore, it is mandatory for all Indonesian people to use the Rupiah in every transaction in Indonesia, including remote areas and outer islands of Indonesia. The appreciation by Indonesian citizens to their own currency is expected to further promote the Rupiah¿s sovereignty in Indonesia," he said.

The emission and circulation of the Rupiah of 2016 EY are mandated by the Currency Law. In accordance with the law, preparations for the emission of Rupiah of 2016 EY has been conducted by Bank Indonesia, in coordination with the Government, he remarked.

To follow up on the coordination, he noted, the Government has issued Presidential Decision No. 31 of 2016 dated September 5, 2016 on Determination of National Hero Images as the Main Image in the Front of Rupiah Bills and Coins of the Republic of Indonesia.

Further, legal grounds on the introduction, emission and circulation of Rupiah of 2016 EY consist of 18 (eighteen) Bank Indonesia Regulations with the following details:
1.Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/29/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Rp100,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 213). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/34/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp100,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 218).

2. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/22/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Rp50,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 205). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/24/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp50,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 207).

3. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/30/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Rp20,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 214). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/35/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp20,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 219).

4. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/23/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Rp10,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 206). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/25/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp10,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 208).

5. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/31/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Rp5,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 215). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/36/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp5,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 220).

6. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/32/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Rp2,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 216). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/37/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp2,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 221).

7. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/33/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Rp1,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 217). In addition, Bank Indonesia has also issued Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/38/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Uncut Rp1,000 Bill of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 222).

8. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/26/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Rp1,000 Coin of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 209).

9. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/27/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Rp500 Coin of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 210).

10. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/28/PBI/2016, dated October 25, 2016, on Emission of Rp200 Coin of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 211).

11. Bank Indonesia Regulation Number 18/39/PBI/2016, dated October 26, 2016, on Emission of Rp100 Coin of 2016 EY (State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia of 2016 Number 223).

With the legal introduction of Rupiah of 2016 EY, the currently circulating Rupiah banknotes are still valid as legal tender to the extent they are not revoked and withdrawn from circulation. (WDY)