900,000 counterfeit bank notes seized

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The National Police in cooperation with Bank Indonesia (the central bank) managed to confiscated 900,000 counterfeit rupiah bank notes during the period between 1998 and 2000, an officer said here on Saturday.

Comr. Yakobus, a detective from the police's counterfeit money section at National Police Headquarters, said that the confiscated bills were in various denominations, ranging from Rp 5,000 to Rp 50,000.

Most of them were old Rp 50,000 bills bearing the picture of smiling former president Soeharto, he said.

The Rp 50,000 "Smiling Soeharto" bill has been replaced by a new note depicting the hoisting of the country's red-and-white flag on Independence Day.

Speaking about the crime of counterfeiting to some 200 teachers, Yakobus admitted that those responsible were not easy to apprehend.

According to him, they were backed by organized syndicates with strong financial resources and far-flung networks.

"So far we have only been arresting those circulating the fake bills, but not the masterminds. This is a tough job. We need help from the community to solve the problem," he said.

Yakobus also revealed that the latest Rp 100,000 bill had already been counterfeited despite the fact that the paper used was difficult to find and its printing required high technology processing.

"The counterfeiting of the Rp 100,000 bill started earlier this year, and counterfeit bills have already been found in South Sumatra, East Java and Jakarta. We have made arrests in Jakarta in connection with the circulation of dozens of the fake notes," he said.

Bank Indonesia executive Rafil Yunus explained that the seizure of fake notes could only take place when they entered the banking system.

He said that although the percentage of counterfeit money was tiny in comparison with the total amount of money in circulation, the crime was serious as it could hurt the economy and cause disquiet in society.

"The percentage is nothing compared to the total amount of money in the economy. But the eradication of this crime still requires serious attention," he added.

The head of the Purwokerto branch of Bank Indonesia, Sumarno, said that over the last three months his branch had seized 63 counterfeit bills. (45/bby)