Fake money rumors upset Central Java people

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto

People in Central Java are anxious over rumors of counterfeit money circulating in many regencies along the province's coastal areas and other cities.

Rp 100,000 banknotes believed to be fake are circulating at traditional markets across the towns of Pekalongan, Tegal, Pemalang, Banjarnegara, Banyumas, Cilacap and Purbalingga.

The disquiet has forced local traders of small shops, who do not have detectors, to reject Rp 100,000 banknotes.

Other residents in possession of similar banknotes are also nervous as they fear they cannot use them for transactions.

"Many banknotes are said to be fake. We are confused about that. Instead of accepting counterfeit Rp 100,000 banknotes, it is better that we reject them," Ibu Rohmat, a stall owner at Kembaran village in Banyumas, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Sources of the rumors remain undetected, but they have spread to most regions in Central Java.

"I have heard that fake Rp 100,000 banknotes are circulating. That makes us worried," said another trader, Ibu Nurul, 31, in Banyumas.

The Wage traditional market, the largest in Purwokerto, for the last five days has also been affected by the rumors, prompting local traders to be extremely careful in accepting banknotes.

Civil servants at the Purbalingga administration are also among those upset by the rumors. Many Rp 100,000 banknotes believed to be fake have passed through there.

It was also not clear, however, where such banknotes came from.

Many accused a certain group or individuals of trying to deliberately upset local residents without any clear reasons.

Purbalingga Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sofyan Abadi advised people not to be alarmed as the local authorities were yet to receive a report from the central bank on the serial numbers of the fake Rp 100,000 banknotes.

"It's impossible to make a perfect counterfeit note. People can differentiate between them, so they need not be anxious and panic over the rumors," he said.

The banknotes believed to be counterfeited carry at least 30 serial numbers, and begin with AAA, AAD, AAF, AAN, AAT, AAZ, ACI, ACH, ADA, ADC, ADJ, ADL, ADZ, AGC, AHA, AHL, AIR, AMH, AQC, AYC, DAD, AAJ, FAD, FPD, HAH, HDI, HDY, IAB, IRD and IYC.