Remittance from Indonesian Workers Abroad Increases

Malang, E Java (Antara) - Remittances from Indonesian workers abroad have increased during the Islamic fasting month or ahead of Idul Fitri. Head of the Malang Post Office Ki Agus M Amran said here on Saturday remittances from Indonesian workers abroad to their relatives in Malang rose 30 percent. Normally remittances averaged 10,000 times per month, but this month remittances are expected to reach 14,000 times, Amran said. He predicted that remittances by workers abroad via post office until the last day of the fasting month would reach Rp40 billion to relatives in Malang or an increase of 10 percent from last year. Most workers prefer to make remittances via post office which could reach wider places in the country that banks could, he said. In addition, banks are closed on Saturday, he added. Remittances have come mainly from Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other Middle-east countries. (*)