Residents eager to exchange new banknotes at Gambir Station

Jakarta — Several residents were visibly eager to exchange new banknotes provided by Bank Indonesia (BI) at the car park of Gambir Station on Monday afternoon.

ANTARA reported on Monday that residents were seen queuing to exchange new banknotes in denominations of Rp2,000 to Rp20,000, which they planned to distribute to relatives and family back home in their villages.

A resident from Yogyakarta, Budi Herianto, stated that exchanging new banknotes has become increasingly difficult, as even online channels are no longer available.

He said he felt fortunate to be able to exchange the new notes provided by BI at Gambir Station’s car park because no administrative fees were charged.

“If you go elsewhere or to other places, there are administrative charges and they are expensive. For every hundred thousand rupiah, the administration fee can be between Rp5,000 and Rp15,000,” he said.

Budi explained that the new banknotes would later be given to relatives, particularly to children during the upcoming Hari Raya celebration, as they appreciate receiving new notes.

“For the children. They like receiving new money,” he said.

Similarly, another resident, Epril, acknowledged the benefit of the mobile currency exchange service from BI, saying that exchanging money was straightforward and only required queuing.

“There are no conditions or requirements, so it is faster. And it is quite easy,” she said.