Indonesia to issue new bank note with Sukarno image

Asian Political News

Jakarta

27.10.99

The face of Indonesia's founding President Sukarno will appear on a new banknote to be issued next month after being banished from the nation's currency 30 years ago, central bank officials said Wednesday.

Bank Indonesia spokesman Perry Warjiyo said in a press statement the new note worth 100,000 rupiah (about 14.5 dollars), to be launched Nov. 1, will be the country's highest denomination banknote.

The new bill will apparently replace the current 50,000 rupiah bill bearing the image of former President Suharto, who ousted Sukarno in March 1966. Suharto himself resigned in disgrace in May 1998 following widespread demonstrations.

The central bank spokesman quoted Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin as saying the Sukarno banknote will be made of plastic.

Sjahril said the faces of Indonesian founders Sukarno and Vice President Mohammad Hatta will appear on one side while the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) building will be depicted on the other, according to Warjiyo.

Sukarno's face first appeared on the country's money in the 1950s, but it was abruptly removed after Suharto seized power in 1965.

The MPR last week elected Sukarno's daughter, Megawati Sukarnoputri, as the country's eight vice president and the first woman to the post.

Sjahril said the central bank chose the images to improve the people's awareness of Indonesia's founding fathers and of the highest state body as an institution that will uphold democracy, according to the spokesman.

Banks, post offices and related institutions have already been notified of the issuance of the new banknote, the spokesman said. Announcements have also been posted in public places.

The central bank did not say categorically whether the new banknote is being issued to replace the 50,000 rupiah note bearing Suharto's face. However, earlier this year, the central bank said it was planning to withdraw the note from circulation.