One mobile bank belongs to BI Malang and the remaining 13 to other banks.

“People can change their money into small bills at these mobile vehicles or at banks just like what has been running all this time,” said BI Malang representative head Dudi Herawadi on Monday.

He further said the vehicles would serve people who wanted to change money into smaller denominations at public areas, starting from Monday to June 8.

Be patient! People make a long queue to change their money into smaller denominations at a newly launched Bank Indonesia (BI) mobile cash vehicle in Malang, East Java, on May 28. (JP/Nedi Putra AW)

The services will be provided in locations within BI Malang’s working area, such as in Kepanjen, Batu,  Bangil Pasuruan and the Pasuruan Industrial Estate Rembang .

“Apart from the public areas, the mobile banks will also be operated during Ramadhan bazaars, which will be held by the Malang administration in the near future,” said Dudi.

BI Malang has prepared Rp 3.9 trillion (US$278.84 million) in small bills for Idul Fitri this year, up from Rp 3.5 trillion the previous year, as part of its efforts to fulfill people’s needs for smaller denominations. Each BI Malang vehicle will be furnished with Rp 740 million per day and one person can change their money into one pack of small bills per denomination per day.

To prevent people from repeatedly exchanging money for small bills per day, BI Malang requires each customer to dip one of their fingers in ink. (ebf)