A Foreign Affair
In Sebatik, Nunukan, East Kalimantan, the Malaysian ringgit is preferred to the rupiah. Malaysian products are cheaper and the ringgit is more stable.
April 13, 2011
PRIVATE First Class Sigit Wahyudi was shocked. A bowl of meatballs he had eaten was charged in the neighboring country’s currency: two Malaysian ringgit (RM). In fact, he was in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, in Aji Kuning village, Sebatik Island, Nunukan regency. Fortunately for Sigit, who had no ringgit in his pocket, the seller was ready to receive Rp10,000 he offered. “But the change was RM1,” he said.
The soldier from In
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