As Indonesia approaches the festive season of Lebaran in 2025, Bank Indonesia (BI) is making significant strides to facilitate the exchange of new currency through its online service, accessible via the website pintar.bi.go.id. This initiative responds to the citizens' needs for easily obtaining fresh banknotes, particularly as the tradition of gifting new cash during the holiday brings an increased demand for newly minted Rupiah. Starting March 3, 2025, the online booking system is strategically implemented to enhance efficiency and convenience, allowing people to bypass long lines at banks.
The process is designed to be straightforward. Citizens can access the Pintar BI website and navigate to the "Penukaran Uang Rupiah Melalui Kas Keliling" service to initiate their exchange. Participants will enter their National Identification Number (NIK), phone number, and email, and specify how much and which denominations of currency they wish to exchange. They will also select their preferred location and date for the exchange.
Once registered, individuals must save their booking confirmation, which contains essential information such as the booking code, participant's name, exchange location, and schedule. On the designated date, they must arrive at the venue with their booking proof and the exact cash amount, properly sorted by denomination and year of issue. A reminder from BI emphasizes, "This service aims to improve the distribution of currency to various regions in Indonesia, providing the community with the convenience of easy access to new currency," highlighting the intention behind this initiative.
BI has specified that the currency exchange will take place in four distinct periods leading up to Lebaran:
- Period I: Reservations start on March 3, 2025, at 12:00 WIB, with exchanges occurring from March 4-9, 2025.
- Period II: Reservations start on March 9, 2025, at 09:00 WIB, for exchanges from March 10-16, 2025.
- Period III: Reservations start on March 16, 2025, at 09:00 WIB, for exchanges from March 17-23, 2025.
- Period IV: Reservations start on March 23, 2025, at 09:00 WIB, for exchanges from March 24-27, 2025.
To maximize the convenience of this new system, individuals need to heed several important guidelines. Exchanges are strictly permitted only during the date, time, and locations they have booked. Participants must present digital or print forms of their booking proof, along with the exact amount of cash, as specified in their request. Notably, the cash must be sorted and stacked properly, without any tape, glue, or staples used to bond the currency together.
For the year 2025, the maximum amount eligible for exchange is set at Rp4.3 million per person. The breakdown is structured as follows:
- Large Denominations: Up to Rp2 million, which includes 30 notes of Rp50,000 and 25 notes of Rp20,000.
- Small Denominations: Up to Rp2.3 million, which can comprise 100 notes of Rp10,000, 200 notes of Rp5,000, 100 notes of Rp2,000, and 100 notes of Rp1,000.
This modern approach is a marked contrast to conventional methods that often involve waiting in long lines, undergoing uncertainty in scheduling, and can be somewhat chaotic, especially during busy times like the holiday season. By utilizing Pintar BI, citizens can take proactive steps to ensure they are well-prepared for their Lebaran celebrations without unnecessary hassle.
As a reminder, direct exchanges—often referred to as 'go show' exchanges—without prior online booking through Pintar BI are not allowed. This regulation ensures that the newly established online system functions smoothly and efficiently for all users.
Bank Indonesia’s initiative reflects an understanding of the societal traditions surrounding Lebaran while promoting a streamlined process for currency exchange. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of this service early to avoid potential shortages or technical issues close to the holiday. With thorough planning and adherence to the outlined protocols, everyone can celebrate the festive season with sufficient new currency at hand.
