BI launches two new banknotes

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday witnessed the official launching at the State Palace of two new banknotes with face values of Rp 100,000 (US$11) and Rp 20,000.

The issuance of the new notes by Bank Indonesia is expected to help the government curb the distribution of counterfeit money.

Central bank governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said that the two new banknotes would be more difficult to counterfeit as they had more security features.

The Rp 100,000 banknote carries a picture of the country's founding fathers Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, with a watermark picture of national hero W.R. Supratman, the composer of the national anthem Indonesia Raya. The notes are on red- colored paper with an asymmetric serial number.

Meanwhile, the Rp 20,000 banknote carries the picture of national hero Otto Iskandar Dinata with a tea plantation in the background. The banknote also has a picture of Otto as the watermark.

Both new banknotes have been circulating since they were launched by the central bank on Dec. 29.

The reserve bank has been concerned over the rampant circulation of counterfeit money. Criminals favorite banknote for counterfeiting is the Rp 100,000 note.

During the event, the President also signed specimens of both new banknotes and Bank Indonesia governor give the specimens to descendants of the national heroes whose pictures are depicted on the notes.

Present at the ceremony were Sukarno's daughter Sukmawati Soekarnoputri and Hatta's daughter Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono, the present State Minister for Women's Empowerment.