Bank Indonesia Tegal Opens Currency Exchange Service in Brebes Ahead of Eid 2026
Although Eid is less than two weeks away, Bank Indonesia’s Tegal Representative Office (KPw-BI) in Central Java continues to actively provide currency exchange services across many locations in its operational region, which includes the former Pekalongan area, encompassing Brebes and Tegal regencies and cities, Pemalang, Pekalongan, and Batang. The aim is to facilitate members of the public who wish to exchange currency for use during Eid.
This currency exchange service was provided at the Islamic Centre in Brebes, specifically in the grounds of Almukarromah Mosque, on Friday 27 February. Local residents eagerly visited the KPw-BI Tegal mobile cash vehicle, which provided currency exchange services.
Residents, predominantly women and young girls, were willing to queue for considerable periods. Indeed, some residents had to sit on the mosque floor as there were insufficient seats whilst waiting in the queue. The Brebes tradition of “pecingan”—the distribution of money envelopes, particularly to children, at Eid—prompted residents’ enthusiasm to exchange small denominations.
Those who were fortunate enough to secure places registered by competing for quotas on the BI PINTAR website, https://pintar.bi.go.id.
One resident, Nadia, 33, from Brebes Village, recounted that she was willing to compete for currency exchange quotas online in the middle of the night up to five times. Nadia had registered in advance using the BI PINTAR application, as speed was essential. “If you’re not quick in competing, you might miss out and be unable to exchange new small denomination notes,” Nadia said on Friday 27 February.
Nadia explained that the exchanged money would be used to distribute to relatives during Eid as Eid allowance. “In Brebes, there is a tradition called ‘pecingan,’ which is the distribution of money to small children or nearby residents in need during Eid,” Nadia clarified.
It is noted that this year, Bank Indonesia Tegal is collaborating with banking institutions and strategic partners to provide 61 currency exchange service points. To anticipate the surge in cash demand ahead of the holiday, funds totalling Rp5.3 trillion have been prepared, an increase of approximately 9% compared to the previous year’s realisation of Rp4.8 trillion.
The entire 2026 SERAMBI programme adopts the theme “Rupiah Giving Meaning in the Month of Blessings.” This theme reflects Bank Indonesia’s commitment to providing safe, easily accessible rupiah currency services that meet the needs of the public.