Indonesiantalk.com — Indonesian Rp50,000 Banknote Secures Second Place Among the World’s Most Secure Currencies.
Today, Indonesians celebrate an extraordinary achievement: the Rp50,000 banknote has been ranked second on the list of the world’s most secure currencies, according to the latest report by BestBrokers.
This accolade is not only a source of national pride but also a tribute to Ir. H. Djuanda Kartawidjaja, a National Hero whose legacy is immortalized on the banknote.
International Recognition for the Rupiah
BestBrokers, an independent institution analyzing global financial trading and currencies, evaluated banknotes from 39 of the most-traded currencies in 2022. The rankings were based on the number and sophistication of anti-counterfeiting features embedded in each banknote.
The Rp50,000 banknote, released on August 17, 2022, received acclaim for incorporating 17 advanced security features, including:
-Watermark featuring Ir. H. Djuanda Kartawidjaja, honoring his immense contributions.
-Security thread with microlenses, allowing visual verification of authenticity.
-Color-changing ink with dynamic motion effects (OVMI), providing extra protection against counterfeiting.
-Tactility features, enabling the visually impaired to identify denominations easily.
Hidden images and microprinting, visible only with specialized equipment.
Indonesia’s Rp50,000 banknote was outperformed only by Switzerland’s 100 Franc note, which took the top spot. It surpassed other high-ranking currencies such as the €50 Euro, A$50 Australian Dollar, and the 200 Polish Zloty.
“This ranking is an international acknowledgment of the superior design and technology of the rupiah, resulting from the hard work and collaboration between Bank Indonesia and Perum Peruri,” stated Ismeth Wibowo, the grandson of National Hero Ir. H. Djuanda Kartawidjaja, who expressed great pride in the achievement.
The Djuanda Declaration: A Milestone for Indonesia’s Maritime Sovereignty
As Indonesians commemorate Nusantara Day on December 13, Ismeth also urged citizens to reflect on the profound contributions of Ir. H. Djuanda through the 1957 Djuanda Declaration. This landmark declaration redefined Indonesia’s maritime boundaries and became a cornerstone of national sovereignty.
Before the declaration, the Dutch-era Territoriale Zee en Maritieme Kringen Ordonantie of 1939 limited territorial waters to only 3 miles from each island’s coastline. Consequently, the waters between Indonesia’s islands were considered international waters, allowing unrestricted passage for foreign ships.
The Djuanda Declaration shifted this paradigm, asserting that Indonesia was an archipelagic state with territorial waters extending 12 miles from the outermost connecting lines of its islands. This monumental step transformed Indonesia’s seas into connectors rather than dividers and solidified its maritime sovereignty.
The declaration gained international recognition through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 in Jamaica.
A Symbol of Pride and Hope
The global recognition of the Rp50,000 banknote not only brings pride but also serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring national symbols. The image of Ir. H. Djuanda on the banknote reflects his pivotal role in securing Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty.
“Today, we celebrate not just the success of the rupiah but also the legacy of Ir. H. Djuanda in realizing Indonesia’s status as a sovereign archipelagic nation,” Ismeth added.
He called upon all Indonesians to uphold the maritime sovereignty fought for by their forebears while envisioning a future where Indonesia thrives as a formidable maritime nation. Nusantara Day is not merely a commemoration but a call to unity, stewardship of maritime wealth, and ongoing innovation that elevates Indonesia’s standing on the global stage.
