February 5, 2026 | 12:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) has responded to the finding of shredded rupiah banknotes in an illegal waste dump site in Taman Rahayu Village, Setu District, Bekasi Regency.
"Regarding the video circulating on social media, we are working with relevant parties to investigate it," said BI Executive Director of Communication Department, Ramdan Denny Prakoso, in a written statement on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Denny assured that Bank Indonesia strives to distribute easily recognizable and mint-condition rupiah banknotes.
According to Denny, Currency Law No. 7 of 2011 stipulates that Bank Indonesia is authorized to destroy banknotes that are not fit for circulation, including worn-out, defective, damaged, and withdrawn rupiah banknotes.
The methods of destruction vary, from shredding, melting, or others, to ensure they no longer resemble rupiah banknotes.
"Bank Indonesia carries out the destruction of rupiah banknotes, which will subsequently be disposed of in a locally owned official Final Disposal Site (TPA)," said Denny, adding that the central bank ensures strict implementation and oversight in the process.
Indonesia has been gradually adopting a waste-to-energy and waste-to-product approach since 2023, utilizing shredded banknotes for alternative fuel (implemented in West Java) or turning the waste into medals in Bali.
Meanwhile, the local police in Bekasi seized 21 sacks full of shredded rupiah banknotes to prevent misuse by irresponsible parties.
Setu Police Chief, Police Adjunct Commissioner Usep Aramsyah, said officers swiftly moved the waste banknote after receiving a public complaint, reinforced by social media posts about the finding.
"We have secured the location and evidence to prevent misappropriation. Currently, we have secured around 21 sacks containing shredded banknotes suspected to be pieces of Rp100,000, Rp50,000, and Rp2,000," he said in Cikarang on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as quoted from Antara.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Bekasi Regency Environmental Agency, Dedi Kurniawan, said they had conducted a site inspection and concluded that the shredded pieces were genuine rupiah banknotes.
Read: 5 Rarest and Most Valuable Banknotes That Are True Collectible Treasures
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