High demand for small denominations

YOGYAKARTA: A large number of Yogyakarta residents have been busy trading their large bank notes for smaller denominations at Bank Indonesia ahead of the Islamic Idul Fitri holiday, bringing the daily average amount of money changed to Rp 1.6 billion (US$188,235), an official has said.

In normal days, the amount of money used by Bank Indonesia's Yogyakarta branch -- to serve people who need smaller denominations -- stands at Rp 300 million.

"In normal days, only about 75 to 100 people wait in line for small change each day, but since last week, the number rose to 300 a day on average," said Amril Arief, the head of the bank's Yogyakarta branch.

Amril said that changing money had become an annual tradition for Yogyakartans. During Idul Fitri, Muslim families give children cash presents, usually in smaller currency notes.

Amril assured the public that the bank would be able to cope with the demand by Yogyakartans.

Idul Fitri is on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 this year. -- JP