UMM Lecturer: Be Careful, Intentionally Damaging Money Can Be Jailed

Author : Humas | Thursday, January 04, 2024 11:50 WIB

UMM Lecturer's Response on Damaging Money Can Lead to Punishment (Photo: Special).

Nowadays, we often find money damaged by being torn or scribbled on. Even though it may have been done purely for self-expression, intentionally damaging the funds can lead to serious penalties. It also undermines the integrity of the monetary system, causing social and economic effects and significant losses to society.

"The social impacts of this include the increase of crime and the rate of criminality, reducing the level of public morality, delaying the alleviation of poverty, and limiting access to education and services for the impoverished," said Shinta Ayu Purnamawati, S.H., M.H. as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM).

Furthermore, Shinta emphasized that the government has prohibited the damaging of money as outlined in Law No. 7/2011 Article 25 paragraph (1). It aims to protect the integrity of the currency exchange rate and maintain public confidence in the monetary system.

"Everyone who intentionally damages, cuts, destroys, and/or changes the rupiah to degrade the honour of the rupiah as a symbol of the state as intended is subject to a maximum imprisonment of 5 (five) years and a maximum fine of 1 billion rupiahs," she added.

In addition, Bank Indonesia also has currency protection regulations that prohibit any tampering with currency. Violations of these regulations can also lead to administrative and civil penalties. Therefore, Shinta encourages the public to take good care of money. Intentionally vandalizing money can undermine the foundation of the economic system.

According to her, a comprehensive education program is needed for the community. It is a preventive way to keep the physical money from being damaged intentionally. However, it is only used as a joke or for entertainment.

"Punishment of those who damage the money is considered effective and fair because it can have a deterrent effect. In addition, it can improve people's behaviour in using money as a legal transaction tool," she concluded. (bal/wil/put)

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