1,723 Counterfeit Rupiah Notes Destroyed in East Nusa Tenggara

A total of 1,723 counterfeit rupiah notes have been destroyed in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The destruction was carried out by the NTT Counterfeit Currency Eradication Coordinating Body (Botasupal) together with the NTT Representative Office of Bank Indonesia at the NTT Regional Police headquarters parade ground. “The destruction was carried out on 1,723 counterfeit rupiah notes originating from the clarification of public reports regarding currency of doubtful authenticity, as well as the processing of bank deposits at the Bank Indonesia Representative Office of NTT Province,” explained Didiet Aditya Budi Prabowo, Deputy Head of the BI NTT Representative Office, in a press statement received on Thursday. Didiet explained that the destruction was conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures. The items were shredded into very small pieces so that they no longer resembled money. Didiet stressed that the circulation of counterfeit currency not only causes economic losses for the public but also disrupts national economic stability and reduces public trust in the rupiah. Didiet expressed appreciation to the Kupang Class IA District Court for issuing a destruction order to facilitate the activity. “Going forward, the synergy between Botasupal elements and law enforcement officials will be further strengthened in efforts to eradicate the criminal act of rupiah counterfeiting in order to safeguard the rupiah as a symbol of state sovereignty,” Didiet asserted. In addition to enforcement, Didiet said BI NTT will continue to strengthen education on loving, taking pride in, and understanding the rupiah. Didiet urged the public to recognise the authenticity of currency through the 3D method: look, touch, and hold up to the light. “The public must remember the 5J rules to keep money durable. The 5J are: do not fold, do not crumple, do not wet, do not staple, and do not scribble,” he said.