Rupiah travel limit raised

JAKARTA (JP): The government has raised the limit on the amount of rupiah travelers may carry with them when leaving and entering the country to Rp 5 million (US$526), up from the unrealistic amount of Rp 50,000.

The new government regulation, which took effect last Monday, stipulates that travelers who wish to carry more than Rp 5 million only need to submit a form at the central bank, Bank Indonesia.

Those wishing to carry more than Rp 10 million, however, must first obtain a permit from the central bank's foreign affairs division.

Violators of the regulation are subject to an administrative fine of Rp 10 million for carrying more than Rp 5 million and Rp 1 billion for carrying more than Rp 10 million.

The government set the previous Rp 50,000 limit in 1981. (das)