Exclusive, Illegal Pinjol Features According To Tongam Lumban Tobing

Online loans, aka Pinjol, have become a byword because many have wrong permits or are illegal. The way this illegal Pinjol works is also haphazard, they terrorize and intimidate borrowers when they are in arrears. Because that's what Dr. Tongam Lumban Tobing, SH., LL.M., Chairman of the Investment Alert Task Force must be careful before being trapped. What are the characteristics of illegal Pinjol? Among them are not registered, the address is not clear and the process is very easy, but after that it is stifling.

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Investment offers in the current digital era are very aggressively attacking the public. Online media, social media and short messages (SMS) have become a means of disseminating and offering investment offers. But do not be careless because the offer is sometimes excessive. According to Dr. Tongam Lumban Tobing, SH., LL.M., Head of the Investment Alert Task Force, how to measure it using 2L, legally and logically. “The legality needs to be checked, how about the licensing. The next one is a matter of logic or rationality or whether it is acceptable for common sense or the investment offered," he said.

In addition to illogical investments, Pinjol also invaded society. Of the many Pinjols, only 104 are legal and registered, the rest are illegal. From 2018 to October 10, 2021, access to 4,873 online fintech content that violates laws and regulations has been terminated. The government has also implemented a moratorium on not passing permits for Pinjol again because there are too many. This means that if the public wants to get in touch with Pinjol, please choose from the 104 listed on the website www.ojk.go.id.

In order not to be entangled in an unauthorized Pinjol, there are several characteristics that need to be observed before being trapped. “First, check whether it is registered or not. Second, illegal Pinjol did not include the address and name of the management. Third, the requirements applied by illegal Pinjol are very easy, just a photo of yourself and a photo of your ID card. And fourth, they asked for access to telephone contacts on their cellphones and also cell phone storage," he explained.

And the most troubling is when the borrower has difficulty paying. The illegal Pinjol operators began to carry out their actions by terrorizing and intimidating. Call the telephone contact number on the borrower's cellphone. There are also those who edit immoral photos that are edited by pasting the borrower's face and so on. As a result, those who are already stressed with installments are increasingly being intimidated by the distribution of inappropriate photos. In some areas there are those who are not strong enough to face this intimidation and choose to commit suicide. Therefore Tongam Lumban Tobing reminds the public to always be vigilant and thoroughly research before making transactions with the Pinjol application. This is the full interview with Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos and Irfan Medianto from VOI who met him at his office at the Indonesian Ministry of Finance Office Complex, Lapangan Banteng, Gambir, Central Jakarta, recently.

From the past until now there have always been people trapped in illegal investments, what should the public do when they receive an investment offer from a certain party?

This illegal investment offer is widespread and covers various sectors, from trade, cooperatives, Umrah travel, online social gathering, money games, etc. The Investment Alert Task Force, which consists of elements from ministries and institutions, has the task of eradicating this illegal investment. If the public finds a very tempting offer by an investment check with 2L; legal and logical. The legality needs to be checked, how is the permit. The next is a question of logical or rational or acceptable to common sense or not the investment offered. For example, there is a trading investment that gives a definite profit of 1 percent per day, it doesn't make sense. Or there are activities that recruit people, but no goods are sold, and then make a profit. That also doesn't make sense. So remember that 2L, legal and logical.

For a reasonable investment, what is the estimated profit that can be obtained from the paid-in capital? What are the signs that can be shared with the public so that they can be more vigilant?

There is no standardization about how much is reasonable. Interest on deposits in the bank profit is about 2 to 3 percent per year. If you buy shares, the potential profit can reach 20 percent per year, but on the other hand it can also decrease according to stock price fluctuations. If we invest in futures trading, crypto also has risks. So what is meant by rationality is the suitability of the conditions of the investment. For example, if there is futures trading, crypto trading that offers fixed profits is not true. So it's not how big the profit is because it's fluctuating. Moreover, commodity futures trading, in that trade, we really don't know how the price fluctuates.

There is also an investment in the date palm village some time ago. How can 5 date palms promise a profit of up to 100 million per year. Can the date palm grow well in Indonesia? This is also illogical.

When it comes to safe investments and risky investments, what is the explanation?

In investing, there are people who tend to be safe players, aka just play it safe. Included in this category are savings and time deposits. There are also investments that are risk takers or risky. That fall into this category crypto trading, futures trading. For people who want to carry out this trade, they must properly understand the rules and mechanisms.

Nowadays online loans alias Pinjol are so crowded, how to distinguish official and fake ones?

Pinjol has only emerged in our country since 2014-2015, our government is very quick to respond, in 2016 the OJK issued OJK regulation Number 77 of 2016 for this industry. Then the 2017 Investment Alert Task Force has summoned several unlicensed entities to register with OJK.

The characteristics of the first illegal Pinjol and not registered or not included in the list on the www.ojk.go.id website, currently 104 legal Pinjol. The second feature is that we don't know where the address is, what is the name of the administrator. And the third condition is very easy, enough with a photo of yourself and a photocopy of your KTP can be done, but the interest is high and the fine is high. The cut is 40 percent immediately. People who borrow 1 million are transferred only Rp. 600,000. Another example is when the initial agreement is half a percent interest per day, after that it can be up to 2 to 3 percent per day. They do fraud there.

The fourth feature is that they ask that all contact number data on the cellphone must be accessible. If this happened, catastrophe would be in sight. When they don't pay at the agreed time, they will terrorize and intimidate the borrower and all the names in the contact numbers. Therefore, vigilance is needed on this illegal Pinjol.

Is there any coaching for this illegal Pinjol?

Currently there is a moratorium on online loan registration, if in OJK regulation 77 of 2016 it is called an information technology-based money-borrowing service, maybe our cool language is Pinjol. In February 2020, there has been a moratorium, no more opening of Pinjol registrations, there are too many. Therefore, our people who want to make online loans just choose these 104 which are currently registered with the OJK. Legal Pinjol only asks for access to the HP camera, location and sound. Meanwhile, Pinjol illegally asked for access to HP contact numbers and HP storage.

The thing to remember is that every loan offer via SMS or WA and the like is definitely illegal, so don't access it. Legal loans are not allowed to offer loans via SMS and WA.

What is the supervision like for legal Pinjol?

Based on OJK regulation number 77 of 2016 supervision is carried out by OJK. So we provide guidance, if they violate there are sanctions ranging from administrative to revocation of business licenses. In addition, there is also a code of ethics, the enforcement of a code of ethics that the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association can provide, they provide guidance when someone violates the code of ethics.

When the public finds something odd about Pinjol, where do you report it?

Please report to OJK and the Investment Supervisory Board via email; alertinvestasi@ojk.go.id, you can call contact number 157 or WA 081 157 157 157 or also report to the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association. But if you have experienced terror or intimidation, you must report it to the police so that a legal process can be carried out.

So far, what is the most common complaint from the public, sir?

The main complaints so far have been about terror and intimidation. They are sometimes sent obscene pictures that have been cropped with the borrower's face affixed, then distributed in the WA group, this is embarrassing. If you have experienced something like this, don't hesitate to report it to the police.

Although many have been arrested, illegal Pinjols are still crowded, is this because people don't trust financial institutions like banks, which in fact have more complicated requirements?

There is no public trust in Pinjol. This fintech lending has a good purpose, to bridge the need for public funds that cannot be served by the formal sector. Borrowing from a bank is not bankable, going to a pawnshop there are no goods that are guaranteed. Our society to borrow this online loan.

From the perpetrator's point of view, firstly, it is very easy to make this online loan website even though the permission is not obtained. Then send SMS to the public. The second server is overseas. This is also a difficulty for us, after being blocked they open again.

Then from the community side, the first is the low literacy level. Once they need money, then there is a link that offers online loans, they fill it out, make a loan there, it turns out to be an illegal online loan, they are stuck there. The two groups of people who already knew it was illegal but because of basic needs they had to go to Pinjol even though it was illegal. There are also people who make loans beyond their ability to pay. Then dig a hole to cover the hole.

What has the Investment Supervisory Task Force been doing so far?

There are two activities carried out here, the first is preventive and the second is repressive. Preventive mainly provides an understanding to the public about this illegal Pinjol. We convey to people who want to borrow online that are registered with the OJK, then the public is asked to borrow according to their needs and abilities. Then wherever possible the loan is used for production activities that encourage the family economy. And before borrowing, first understand the risks and benefits. We also work with cellular operators to share information with HP owners.

While the repressive measures, the first is to stop the illegal Pinjol activities. Second we connect to the community through press releases. Third, we ask for the blocking of the application website through the Communications and Information Technology and then we submit an information report to the police.

For the public who have already invested, it turns out that the investment institution is illegal, can you ask for the funds that have been entered? If possible, how?

There have been cases of illegal investments such as Pandawa Depok, Travel CSI Cirebon, and others. If you have problems getting your funds back, it's very difficult, even if only 10 percent can return, it's good. Therefore, this should be a lesson for society and all of us.

At the end of the year, Eid, Chinese New Year, etc., shopping centers usually compete to offer discounts for certain items and collections. It turns out that many people are interested in this program, including Dr. Tongam Lumban Tobing, SH., LL.M., Chairman of the Investment Alert Task Force. For him, hunting for discounted items is a fun activity. He can get quality goods at low prices.

The reason is that they are willing to hunt for discounted items because at prices far below the standard price, you can get quality items, which other discount hunters out there are also using. Efforts to provide discounts by shopping centers are carried out to deplete the stock of goods, aka washing the warehouse. “I really enjoy seeing and hunting for discounted items. Especially now that before the new year there are many shopping centers that hold a discount program of up to 70 percent. This weekend, I have observed that one of the malls has spread a massive discount program. So with a low price, I think you can get quality goods,” he reasoned.

Apart from shopping online, Tongam also likes to shop online. The proliferation of online shopping stalls, both large and on a MSME scale, makes choices more numerous and varied. As a consumer, he said, greatly benefited from this condition. Because you can compare one stall to another in an easy way.

“Online shopping is now a trend and many people are doing it, including me. During breaks or when I have free time, I often surf the virtual world to see what is interesting. Yes, I also like to browse the marketplace channels which are now mushrooming. If I meet what I need, I will buy it. Sometimes I buy shampoo, soap, and other household necessities,” he admits.

Again, Tongam had a simple reason why he bought these daily necessities at the online shopping stall. “My reason is because it is easier, the price is very competitive. And another consideration is transparency in transactions. For example, if we want to buy something offline, we can't compare one store to another," he said.

Maintaining health is much better than treating. This principle is also applied by Tongam Lumban Tobing in his daily life. “Health is very important, because it must be maintained so that we can carry out our work or activities optimally. Imagine if we are sick, our workers will automatically not be optimal and may even be disturbed. The problem is that if you are lying in the hospital, you can't do much," he said.

To maintain stamina, one of the efforts he did was to maintain food intake. “Food is important to maintain stamina. But for the right portion, if it's too much, it's a problem. I have now eaten less rice, not stopped eating rice like people who are on a diet. I only reduce the portion of rice, so it's not too much. I have to keep myself from being overweight. It's just average, not fat and not too skinny,” explained Tongam, who increased the portion of eating vegetables and fruit when he reduced the portion of rice.

Every morning Tongam orders breakfast around 6 am. "When some people are still sleeping, I have breakfast," said the man who started his activities at dawn, long before the sun would rise on the eastern horizon. At 4.00 pm he was up and started his activities.

After preparing all the necessities, he departed from his residence in East Jakarta, heading to his office in the Indonesian Ministry of Finance Office Building complex, at Lapangan Banteng, Gambir, Central Jakarta. “By leaving early in the morning from my house, I avoid the traffic jams in Jakarta, which stress a lot of people. The problem is that if it is early in the morning, the roads are relatively smooth, there are no traffic jams," he said.

At 6.00 in the morning he arrived at the office, even though his office time was at 07.00 WIB. He then had breakfast and started office activities. “I did start working hours earlier than the schedule for entering the office. Because I arrived at the office early in the morning, sometimes I opened the office door. I started working hours earlier, I came home from work earlier than other friends in the office," he explained.

Tongam admitted that by arriving early he found a fresher office atmosphere. The ideas flowed smoothly. The estuary is productivity in doing work in the office. "One thing that makes him proud is that his colleagues in the office share the same vision, share the same view and feel to realize a common goal," said the winner of the Silver Winner of Best Direct Response Campaign in Contact Center World – Thailand (2019).

Before the pandemic hit, he had time to do bicycle sports. But now he works out for a morning walk on the weekends. "I try to walk in the morning, I have never cycled before," he said. “Anyway, whatever the sport, the important thing is to move and sweat. No need to be complicated in exercising," he continued.

Like most Batak men, singing is one of his hobbies. "In my art business, it's not difficult. Usually the Batak people like to sing. Frankly, I also like singing, but I'm not very good at it, I can do it a little bit," he said modestly.

At an event, usually Batak people will be very disappointed if they are not called to the stage to sing. But Tongam is normal when he isn't asked to sing as if he has a purpose. "I'm normal if I'm not called to sing to the stage. Because I can't really do it. My class is just karaoke at home. Some of my friends if they are not asked to sing can get angry. He asked if his voice wasn't good," he said.

Tongam loves Batak songs which are full of meaning and philosophy. “Listening to folk songs reminds me of my hometown. In addition, the folk songs are full of messages. The message from parents to their children is to live a good life," said Tongam, who is now hunting for folk songs on the internet. In addition to folk songs, he also likes songs sung by foreign singers. The music group that he really loves is the Bee Gees with a series of hits, of course.

But what he likes is not connected with his children. You know, it's a different generation. "Because what we like is no longer connected with what children like today. Yes, it's okay, such a difference is a natural thing. It's also impossible for people my age to have the same taste in music as today's children," he continued.

On weekends, Tongam Lumban Tobing is used as much as possible to take a walk with his beloved family. "Saturday, you have to go everywhere, just to eat with your family. But during this pandemic, there are restrictions that make us very vigilant. If this is the case, he will obey government regulations. Even if you go to a restaurant, it's still a success," he said.

Drug abuse has become a scourge for many people. Tongam as a parent also has the same concerns as other parents, who are afraid that their children will fall into drug abuse. That's why he was very concerned about this. “This drug problem is a very dangerous thing. Therefore, I really encourage young people to look for productive activities," said this alumni of the Faculty of Law, University of North Sumatra (1988).

Focusing on education seeks to find something new, according to him, new improvisation is one way to divert attention to drugs. “Currently, many of our millennial generations have succeeded in finding innovations. All of this can be done if there is a serious effort in carrying out an activity that aims to produce something new,” he continued

In addition, other efforts that can be done so as not to fall into drugs are, by doing positive hobbies such as sports and the arts. “Those who focus on a particular sport usually don't have time to deal with drugs, if this is done, their achievements will be ruined. Likewise if you really focus on artistic activities. It's just that sometimes there are those who are not strong enough to resist the temptation, so they fall into it," said the man who continued his education at Padjadjaran University, Doctor Business Management (2018) and The University of Melbourne - Australia, LLM Degree (2002).

Efforts to protect the younger generation from the dangers of drugs, said Tongam Lumban Tobing, are actually a shared task. From parents, educators, government and the youth themselves. Everyone must be able to work hand in hand to keep youth from falling into drugs that can destroy the future. "This is our job together," he said.

“If people find a very tempting offer by an investment check with 2L; legal and logical. The legality needs to be checked, how is the permit. The next one is a logical or rational question or whether it is acceptable for common sense or not the investment offered,"

Tongam Lumban Tobing