Starfruit (malangkota.go.id) – Until now, the level of financial inclusion of Malang City residents is 86 percent, while financial literacy is at 69 percent. Although it looks good, it is suspected that many residents are still victims of illegal investment and loan offers. Easy requirements, fast processes and high income in a short time are factors that trigger these incidents.
This was conveyed by the Head of the Malang Financial Services Authority (OJK), Sugiarto Kasmuri after opening Training of Trainers (ToT) Financial Literacy Agents of Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas throughout Malang City at the Grand Mercure Malang Mirama Hotel, Tuesday (6/6/2023). According to him, by involving 110 Babinsa and 200 Bhabinkamtibmas, this is an effort by OJK to stem the occurrence of illegal investments and loans.
Sugiarto explained that almost every day the institution he leads receives complaints related to fraud under the guise of investment and illegal loans. By involving the ranks of the TNI - Polri, it is hoped that it can suppress and prevent the public from being trapped in various modes of financial fraud. Including various other crimes and frauds, especially online.
"The literacy program cannot only be carried out by OJK, but also by all levels of society, including our fathers and mothers who are members of Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas. They are the ones who directly interact with the community, meet directly with the community. If we only meet occasionally, so that distance will be more effective and more efficient in communicating information about crimes in financial service institutions," he explained.
There are still victims of illegal loans and investments, Sugiarto said not because residents do not understand but sometimes because they do not know where to complain or report. So the existence of Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas will be agents or extensions of OJK in the community. This program is also a follow-up to the OJK's cooperation with the TNI Headquarters and the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit in strengthening the investment alert task force.
The ToT program also received a positive response from the Chief of Staff of Kodim 0833 Malang City, Major Arm Chairul Effendy. The reason is, with the reason of economic downturn is often a classic reason for people to take shortcuts by taking loans to financial institutions whose legality is not yet clear.
"I really support this. Let alone the community, sometimes even Babinsa don't know. For online fraud or about finance for fake investments, they don't know. So our hope is that with this they will know and they can spread it to the community so that our community understands and is not easily fooled by promising investments," he concluded. (say/yon)
