BI builds Sovereign Rupiah Monument in border region

Bulungan, North Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Bank Indonesia's North Kalimantan Representative Office is collaborating with the local government of Central Sebatik Sub-district, Nunukan District, to build the Sovereign Rupiah Monument and promote the Quick Response Code Indonesia Standard (QRIS) cashless payment.

Nunukan District is one of the Indonesian regions that shares borders with neighboring Malaysia.

The aim of the construction of the Sovereign Rupiah Monument is to develop a sense of nationalism among local communities, Deputy Head of North Bank Indonesia's North Kalimantan Representative Office, Ganang Suryo Anggoro, said in Nunukan on Saturday (December 9).

"I would like to thank the local government for the permit and support," he remarked during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sovereign Rupiah Monument.

According to him, the groundbreaking ceremony was held not only to commence the construction of the monument but also to build local people's awareness, understanding, and love toward rupiah, the national currency of Indonesia.

He further said that policies regarding payment means would not only always revolve around cash payment methods since the government has started paying attention to cashless payment methods, as evidenced by the formulation of QRIS.

Anggoro went on to say that Indonesia and Malaysia had already established cooperation in cross-border payment using their own currencies, adding that the people of the two countries can now even use QRIS to make cross-border transactions.

"We will continue to disseminate detailed information on the implementation of this matter (cross-border QRIS payment) to the people," he noted.

He then expressed hope that the Sovereign Rupiah Monument would not only stand as a physical symbol but also serve as a new source of economic activity for local residents.

"One day, this place will become a tourism destination in which locals can participate in new economic activities," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Central Sebatik Sub-district Head Aris Nur expressed optimism about the monument providing benefits to the tourism sector of Sebatik Island.

"In addition to becoming a symbol of pride in rupiah, this monument is expected to positively affect the tourism sector of Sebatik Island, especially Central Sebatik," Nur stated.