BI South Kalimantan Prepares IDR 2.5 Trillion In Cash To Meet Residents' Needs During Ramadan

Officers arrange piles of banknotes while preparing for ATM filling at PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk's cash center (DOK ANTARA)

KALSEL - The Bank Indonesia Representative Office (KPwBI) of South Kalimantan Province has prepared Rp 2.5 trillion in cash to meet the needs of the local community during Ramadan and Eid.

"This number has increased by 15 percent compared to 2021," said Executive Director of the South Kalimantan Province Bank Indonesia Representative Office Imam Subarkah in a press release, Antara, Tuesday, April 5.

This step was taken in line with the momentum of continued economic growth and to anticipate an increase in public transactions in line with the pandemic that was starting to be under control.

The easing of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) and increasing community activities during Ramadan and Eid are expected to increase economic activity and payments, thus requiring an increase in cash and non-cash payment system services.

In addition to preparing cash, Bank Indonesia also continues to encourage people to take advantage of non-cash payments, such as digital banking, electronic money and QR Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) which can minimize physical contact in transactions.

Taking into account the latest COVID-19 conditions and aspects of public health, he said, Rupiah currency exchange services during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1443 H period were carried out through money exchange in banks, starting April 4-29 2022.

The activity, he explained, was spread over 198 exchange service points or 168 commercial bank service points and 30 BPR service points spread across the KPwBI working area of South Kalimantan Province, an increase of 20 percent from last year.

The exchange of money in the KPwBI Mobile Cash Car of South Kalimantan Province, he explained, will be carried out starting on 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 April 2022, in the Banjarmasin Cambodia Field.

The exchange of money through mobile cash is back, he explained, after a two-year vacuum due to the pandemic.

In order to avoid crowds, the public, he hopes, will order redemption through the PINTAR application (https://pintar.bi.go.id) before coming to the mobile cash location.

He further stated that Bank Indonesia also invites the public to behave wisely in spending according to their needs, save money and care for the rupiah in order to encourage public awareness to love, be proud and understand the rupiah.

"Love for the rupiah can be done by recognizing the characteristics of the authenticity of the rupiah, caring for the rupiah and preserving the tupiah. Be proud of the rupiah by understanding that the rupiah is a symbol of state sovereignty, a legal instrument of payment and a means of unifying the nation," he stressed.

Meanwhile, understanding the rupiah, he added, is carried out by recognizing the function of the rupiah in the context of encouraging economic activity in the form of transactions, shopping and frugality.

"Bank Indonesia also always coordinates with banks and related institutions to provide cash and non-cash payment system services to support smooth transactions in the community during the Ramadan and Eid 1443 H period," he said.