Disrespect for the rupiah

Disrespect for the rupiah

From Kompas

In the 1960s, the government issued a policy prohibiting transactions in foreign currency on Indonesian territory. It was necessitated by the fact that in Tanjungpinang, Tanjung Balai Karimun and towns in the Riau islands people preferred the use of the dollar and the Malaysian ringgit in markets and elsewhere.

I have observed that the current use of foreign currency, especially the U.S. dollar has become a culture. Just look at hotels, from the melati class to five-star hotels, which have set their prices in U.S. dollars. Malls and supermarkets let their space also in dollars. At a promotion of cellular phones at Bentara Budaya on Dec. 17 the company selling the gadgets was not willing to accept payment in rupiah. Is the rupiah not the legal tender in the Republic of Indonesia?

I appeal to the government to issue a policy prohibiting all transactions in Indonesia using a foreign currency.

If the government issues the prohibition, we can expect an increase in the value of the rupiah and prevent our currency from becoming a second tool for transactions in our own country. At least we must do away with the impression of disrespect toward the rupiah.

IDRIS

Jakarta