Jakarta. Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has signed an agreement with Indonesia's money-laundering authority to restrict cash transactions by city employees using public money to Rp 25 million ($2000).

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) signed the memorandum of understanding with Basuki's office on Wednesday. PPATK chief Muhammad Yusuf signed the agreement, which significantly curtailed the amount of cash Jakarta civil servants may carry from the existing Rp 100 million. 

"I appreciate the governor's policy to use a minimum cash transaction because any transaction using a large amount of cash is very susceptible to graft and bribery. This is why PPATK urges the limitation of cash transaction," Muhammad said after the signing.

Muhammad said PPATK was committed to helping the Jakarta government prevent money laundering.

He said the agency was ready to help investigate whether or not a public official was clean before they joined the post auction for strategic official positions.

Basuki said the cooperation with PPATK was aimed at  limiting graft in the capital.

"With this non-cash transaction system it will be more difficult [to commit corruption]. Generally the work system in Jakarta is getting better because the majority of people want to work properly," Basuki said.

"In Jakarta we will limit the maximum cash withdrawal to Rp 25 million [per transaction]," the governor said. "I hope public officials in Jakarta will forget about the past and just be grateful with what we earn today."

The agreement is not, however, a law and civil servants found in breach of the regulation will only be subject to disciplinary action. It will not be a criminal offense for a city employee to exceed the Rp 25 million limit.