'I love rupiah' gold auctioned

'I love rupiah' gold auctioned

BANDUNG (JP): Gold contributions totaling 2,249 grams raised
during the "I love rupiah" campaign were auctioned off by the
state pawn house here Tuesday.

The gold was raised in a campaign launched by former minister
of social affairs Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, known as mbak Tutut.
The final figure raised in the auction was not announced

But an employee of the auction authority, Martinah, said the
proceeds far exceeded the set target of Rp 101 million. "People
paid more because the price of gold is now more promising,"
Martinah said.

Following the plunge of the rupiah, the public contributed
valuables in an aim to strengthen national reserves. But the
government decided to auction the contributions because the
follow-up to the contributions was unclear. The proceeds will be
presented to provincial administrations to help buy basic needs
for the poor. (43)