TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia Governor Agus D.W. Martowadojo, once again explained that the newly designed Rupiah bankotes do not contain the 'hammer and sickle' symbol. There were previous conflicting perceptions on the matter, especially in one of the 2016 Emission Year (EY) Rupiah banknotes released on December 19, 2016.
"The image that was perceived as a 'hammer and sickle' symbol by a number of people is actually a BI [Bank Indonesia] logo that was cut diagonally, which formed an abstract ornament," Agus said on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
The image, according to Agus, is a recto-verso image, which is part of the new banknote safety feature. The image was created using a special technique that splits the front and rear surface of the image, which can only be seen through a source of light.
The rumor of a 'hammer and sickle' symbol appearing in the new series of Rupiahs first sparked through social media back in November 2016. BI's Counterfeit Money Management Division Head Hasiholan Siahaan, had dismissed the rumors and said that BI has no intention to print a 'hammer and sickle' symbol in Rupiah banknotes.
GHOIDA RAHMAH
