Central bank provides small change service

JAKARTA: Bank Indonesia, the central bank, has set up a pilot program in which members of the public can exchange their money for smaller change and coins.

Some 18 posts have been opened around the city on Dec. 13, including PT Kejar in Menara Bidakara on Jl. Gatot Subroto and PT Seccop on Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 63-68, Central Jakarta.

Most of the posts were established near markets and bus stations for public use only. For more information, interested people should contact the central bank public relations office by phone at 381-7236 or 381-7690.

Bank Indonesia has offered service to accommodate a high demand for pennies recently, while people are preparing for Idul Fitri and Christmas.

The demand for small change increases during the holidays related to a tradition by which elderly people give pennies to children to celebrate the season.

Long queues are common scenes in banks here several days before Idul Fitri or Christmas. Some people take advantage of the situation by offering their change, at a fee, for people seeking to avoid long lines. --JP