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Bank Indonesia joins fight against drugs
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Bank Indonesia (BI) governor Agus Martowodojo (left), accompanied by National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Budi Waseso, makes remarks after the two signed a drug-war agreement at the BI offices in Jakarta on Aug. 15. (JP/Ayomi Amindoni)
T
he Indonesian central bank has promised to support the National Narcotics Agency’s (BNN) efforts to hinder illegal drugs from entering the country by using its authority to control payment systems and money circulation.
After a signing an agreement with BNN at the Bank Indonesia (BI) offices in Jakarta on Monday, BI Governor Agus Martowardojo said the central bank will tighten the financial transactions system to prevent drug-related payments.
"For instance, in ATM machines, a warning will appear on the screens. Also, we will supervise money changers to ensure they implement a know-your-customer principle before accepting a large sum of money that may have come from drug deals," he said.
With the agreement, Agus continued, the central bank will ensure its officials, employees and families not to be involved in drug abuse or drug trafficking. "We will follow up the agreement with dissemination of information about drug abuse and how to prevent it," he said.
BNN head Budi Waseso said the partnership with the monetary authority was important to combat what he called a rampant spread of illegal narcotics. The agreement, he said, indicated BI's commitment to respond an "emergency" situation.
Earlier, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo vowed to continue the war he launched against illegal narcotics by classifying the trade in drugs as an extraordinary crime and ordering law enforcers to hunt down and arrest all drug dealers in the country. (ags)
