No more heavy metal: Prita’s coins cashed in

Prodita Sabarini ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 12/24/2009 10:20 AM  |  City

Making mad money: A Bank Indonesia worker counts coins donated to help Prita Mulyasari’s legal battle. JP/Nurhayati

Bank Indonesia transported Rp 825 million (US$86,842) in coins and small-denomination bills from the Coins for Prita movement to its office to be counted and exchanged for bank notes on Wednesday.

Coins for Prita coordinator Enda Nasution said BI and Bank Mandiri assisted in transporting and exchanging the coins for bills. The money will then be transferred to Prita Mulyasari’s Bank Mandiri account.  

The Coins for Prita movement began earlier this month in the wake of the Banten District Court ruling to fine Prita Rp 204 million for defaming Omni International Hospital in an email. In less than a month, the group used social networking site Facebook and set up the www.koinkeadilan.com site to promote their cause, collecting donations for Prita.

Following mounting public pressure led by the Coins for Prita movement, the hospital requested the court not to impose the verdict.

Prita and her legal representatives have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court.

Enda said Prita would choose what to do with the money. In a concert organized to support Prita and freedom of expression last week, Prita said she would like to donate the money to worthy humanitarian causes.

“We will support Prita and offer our recommendations. The choice is up to her and we will gladly assist her,” he said.

Prita could not be reached for comment.

Enda said they decided to exchange the coins and transfer the money to Prita’s account because it was more convenient. He also said the coins needed to be placed in circulation again.

The concept of collecting coins was a symbol of resistance and criticism of the court’s decision, Enda said. It was also a way to let people from all walks of life show their support for Prita and not just people with bank accounts, he added.

“Our movement mobilized everyone: Children donated their money as well as trash pickers and ojek [motorcycle taxi] drivers,” he said.

“At first we thought, ‘Well, we accept the verdict but we will pay in coins’,” he said. But since there was the possibility the hospital would not demand the money, Enda said keeping the money in the form of coins was no longer necessary.

“The public have already shown an incredible level of support in collecting and counting the coins. As a resistance movement, we don’t need the coins anymore,” he said.

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