Indonesian Navy Escorts Rupiah Distribution to Remote Papua Islands

The Naval Regional Command (Kodaeral) X Jayapura has affirmed its commitment to escorting the distribution of rupiah banknotes to Papua’s frontier, outermost and remote (3T) islands through the 2026 Sovereign Rupiah Expedition (ERB).

Commander of Kodaeral X Jayapura Major General (Marine) Sugianto said in Jayapura on Wednesday that the Indonesian Navy, together with Bank Indonesia, bears the responsibility of safeguarding national sovereignty, including ensuring that communities in the archipelagic regions have access to rupiah banknotes fit for circulation.

“Therefore, the synergy between the Indonesian Navy and Bank Indonesia is a tangible expression of the state’s presence in safeguarding sovereignty while supporting equitable development all the way to Indonesia’s outermost regions,” he said.

“Accordingly, on Tuesday (4/8), the KRI Mata Bongsang-873 set sail to carry out the 2026 Sovereign Rupiah Expedition in five 3T regions in Papua,” he added.

He explained that the sailing route covers Jayapura, Pai Island, Owi Island, Numfoor Island, Bepondi Island and Yapen Island, ending in Biak, with a total distance of approximately 625 nautical miles.

He further said that in addition to securing the voyage, Indonesian Navy personnel have been instructed to provide the best possible service to the Bank Indonesia team and the communities visited, so that the distribution of fit-for-circulation currency proceeds smoothly.

“We hope that this collaboration between the Indonesian Navy and Bank Indonesia through the Sovereign Rupiah Expedition will strengthen the state’s presence in the 3T regions whilst fostering people’s love for the rupiah as a symbol of national sovereignty,” he said.