TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) has confirmed that the new Rp75,000 banknote issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day could also be used as a legal transaction instrument, not only for collection although the nominal is different.

“The new banknote serves as a legal tender,” said BI Deputy Governor Rosmaya Hadi in an online conference on Tuesday, August 18.

Rosmaya added that the fresh currency could also be owned for collection as it was released in limited stock at just 75 million pieces on August 17, 2020.

She admitted that the public showed a high interest in the special bill. The central bank recorded 68,051 people had registered via Pintar application or 97 percent of the quota for the next ten days.

BI limited the number of registrants wishing to make the exchange at the bank in a bid to prevent coronavirus transmission. “We have calculated the exchange process and the duration while adopting the COVID-19 health protocols,” Rosmaya underlined.

For the first stage that would last until September 30, 2020, the exchange could only be made at Bank Indonesia and its 45 representative offices, as well as five commercial banks, namely Bank Mandiri, BNI, BRI, BCA, and CIMB Niaga. The sale is limited to one bill of Rp75,000 per one ID Card or KTP.

Read: Bank Indonesia: Current Situation Better Than 1998, 2008 Crises

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA