Ahead Of Eid Al-Fitr, DPR Commission XI Member Puteri Komarudin Highlights Money Exchange Facilities To The Danger Of Illegal Loans

Member of Commission XI DPR RI Puteri Anetta Komarudin. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - To meet the need for cash exchange ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2022, Bank Indonesia (BI) has opened 5,013 money exchange points in banks throughout Indonesia. In addition, BI also provides money exchange services through BI Mobile Cash Cars.

Member of Commission XI DPR RI, Puteri Anetta Komarudin, appealed to BI to intensify socialization of cash exchange facilities. According to him, BI and the banking parties involved, including Bank HIMBARA and Bank BJB, need to socialize more broadly, such as about the exchange location, requirements, and quota per day.

"With this clarity and convenience, people will definitely prefer to exchange their money to formal institutions, not exchange it in any place that is prone to counterfeiting," said Puteri in her statement to the media quoted on Saturday, April 9.

Furthermore, Puteri also encourages banks to provide easy access to financing for MSME actors. Because until the fourth quarter of 2021, credit distribution in West Java is still dominated by non-MSME loans of 77.91 percent, while the portion of MSME loans is only 22 percent.

"I am quite satisfied because MSME lending in my constituency contributes quite a lot to the total MSME lending in West Java compared to other areas. Namely, from Bekasi Regency it reaches 8.84 percent and Karawang Regency by 4.80 percent. Unfortunately, credit distribution in Purwakarta Regency is still low. In fact, Purwakarta Regency also has various potential MSMEs that need capital support," he explained.

He considered this capital support to be important so that MSME players could continue their business, especially for those who have a business focus that supports the needs of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, such as clothing and food.

"The momentum for recovering demand ahead of Eid cannot be utilized optimally by MSME actors if access to capital is still limited. In fact, this limitation can also affect the continuity of their business," said Puteri.

For your information, throughout 2021, the BI Representative Office for West Java Province recorded 41,954 notes that were found to be of doubtful authenticity. In fact, the number of counterfeit notes found in West Java reached 26,828.

Therefore, Puteri hopes that this money exchange facility can be properly socialized to the public in order to anticipate the dangers of circulating counterfeit money. Not only that, Puteri also appealed to the OJK to anticipate the rise of online loan cases (loans) ahead of Eid.

"Moreover, approaching Lebaran like this, it is a golden opportunity for loan sharks to offer loans, at a time when people are pressed to meet their needs," concluded Puteri.