T

housands of people on the predominantly Hindu island of Bali patiently waited in front of Bank Indonesia's Denpasar office to change their money into smaller banknotes to prepare for the Idul Fitri holidays.

Yulianawati, a resident of Denpasar, said she had come to the bank office twice but had failed to get her money changed into smaller banknotes of Rp 1,000 to Rp 10,000.

"As people need small change for Idul Fitri, the central bank should provide it," Yulianawati said.

However, the central bank's office was only open from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. "The opening hours are too short, the bank should extend them to serve the public properly," she said.

During the Idul Fitri holiday, people share the tradition of giving money and goods to their less fortunate brothers and sisters.

Idul Fitri is also the time to pay zakat fitrah (obligatory alms given by Muslims prior to Idul Fitri) in accordance with Islam to enable the needy to celebrate the post-Ramadan festivities.

People give money to relatives and friends too when they go home for Idul Fitri.

"We don't have a lot of money, but we really want to share our fortune with the needy," said a man who stood in the second queue.

The bank's deputy head Wijoyo Santoso said the office could only open for money changing until noon.

"But we carry on working, counting the incoming money."

The bank could only serve about 1,100 people daily but, up to yesterday, people had changed money valued at Rp 27.5 billion (US$275,000).

"The amount of money will increase next week," he said.

Compared with last year, there had been a significant increase in the amount of money changed at the bank, probably a sign of better economic conditions, he said.

Suri, another resident, said she had asked to use the services of a middleman, who would get her money from the bank for a fee of between Rp 50,000 and Rp 100,000.

Santoso said the central bank would be open until Sept. 18. "We can serve the public until next Friday," he said.