Finance Minister: Banknote printing management must be audited

Antara News, Wednesday, June 9, 2010 16:01 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo has said that the Finance Audit Board (BPK) should periodically audit the implementation of rupiah banknote printing, issuance and extermination.

"In order to guarantee accountability in the management of rupiah banknote printing, it should be audited periodically by BPK," Minister Martowardoyo said in the government`s response to the House of Representatives (DPR)`s explanation on the Currency Bill in a hearing with members of the DPR`s Commission XI here Wednesday.

He said under the Currency Bill, rupiah banknote management regulation covers planning, execution, distribution, revocation, and extermination of the rupiah bill.

As a check and balance, the central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI) and the government should coordinate not only in the planning process but also at the stage of rupiah extermination.

The Check and balances are necessary as part of the implementation of good governance principle, according to the minister in the meeting led by Emir Moeis, chairman of the DPR`s Commission XI.

In dealing with the rupiah counterfeit crime, the central bank should carry it out with the cooperation of legal enforcers and/or other institutions appointed by the government, he said.

The Bill on Currency is an initiative by the Parliament which has been submitted to the President in the House Speaker`s letter no. LG.01.02/2166/DPR-RI/III/2010, March 18, 2010.