'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)