BI and TNI AL partner to deliver clean banknotes to five 3T islands in the Riau Islands.
In a bold act of financial sovereignty, Bank Indonesia (BI) has circulated Rp13 billion worth of new banknotes across five remote islands in the Riau Archipelago. The 2025 Sovereign Rupiah Expedition (ERB) underscores national unity and financial inclusion in Indonesia’s outermost territories.
Rp13 Billion for 3T Islands
Bank Indonesia, through its Kepri Representative Office, deployed Rp13 billion in new banknotes to five islands categorized as 3T: outermost, frontier, and underdeveloped. The islands include Pulau Tarempa (Anambas), Pulau Midai and Subi Besar (Natuna), Pulau Tambelan (Bintan), and Pulau Singkep (Lingga). The mission, carried out over five days aboard the Indonesian Navy warship KRI Hasan Basri 382, highlights a strategic partnership between BI and the Navy to ensure currency availability in challenging geographies.
Replacing Worn Notes and Raising Awareness
The expedition isn’t just about currency circulation. It also focuses on retrieving worn-out banknotes and educating communities on the values of “Cinta, Bangga, dan Paham Rupiah” (Love, Be Proud of, and Understand the Rupiah). “This is our annual effort to ensure people in the 3T areas have access to fit-for-use money,” said M. Anwar Bashori, BI’s Head of Currency Management, during the departure ceremony at Batam’s Pelabuhan Bintang 99 Persada on July 22, 2025.
Nationwide Mission with Local Roots
This expedition marks the 11th in the 2025 ERB series, targeting 18 regions and 91 islands across Indonesia. The ERB commenced in Kendari and will conclude in South Sulawesi. The team, dubbed “Pejuang Rupiah” (Rupiah Warriors), comprises 15 BI officers—including delegates from six regional offices without coastal access—joining forces to understand the complexities of island-based financial outreach.
TNI AL: Guardians of Currency and Sovereignty
The Indonesian Navy, represented by Laksamana Pertama TNI Berkat Widjanarko, affirmed its commitment to support these expeditions. “Rupiah is a symbol of sovereignty. As front-line guardians of the state, TNI AL is proud to assist in reaching these vital areas,” he said. The operation demonstrates a powerful intersection of military strength and monetary policy in defending the state’s integrity.
Maritime Geography and Economic Access
Kepri’s 98% ocean coverage makes it Indonesia’s most maritime-centric province. According to Asisten III Misni of the Kepri Provincial Government, this geographical uniqueness justifies programs like ERB. Since its inception in 2012, ERB has grown into a vital logistical and symbolic initiative to connect remote communities with the national financial system—ensuring no region is left behind.
Indonesia’s ERB initiative showcases how national unity extends beyond land borders, using warships to deliver financial inclusion where road infrastructure fails. For both Indonesians and their regional neighbors, particularly Singaporeans who monitor maritime development closely, this operation demonstrates the strategic fusion of currency stability, military cooperation, and geographic outreach—safeguarding both economic and sovereign interests across the archipelago.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Antara News (2025)
Keywords: Sovereign Rupiah Expedition, Bank Indonesia Kepri, 3T Islands, BI Currency Mission, KRI Hasan Basri, Rupiah Education
