REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA \u2013 Online lending (pinjol) disbursement has\nbeen recorded to increase during Ramadan. Data from the Financial\nServices Authority (OJK) shows that the trend of increasing pinjol has\noccurred for two consecutive years, namely in Ramadan 2024 and 2025,\nwith disbursement still dominated by consumer financing.<\/p>\n
An economics expert from IPB University, Dr.\u00a0Ranti Wiliasih, said\nthat the phenomenon of the increasing popularity of pinjol during\nRamadan tends to be influenced by FOMO (fear of missing out), the desire\nto follow trends, and the tendency to imitate other people\u2019s lifestyles.\nAccording to her, Ramadan, which is synonymous with increased\nconsumption, often encourages people to increase their spending.\nUnfortunately, not all of this increase is matched by adequate financial\ncapacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost pinjol is used for consumptive needs, not productive ones, so\nit has the potential to cause financial problems in the future,\u201d she\nsaid in a written statement, quoted on Friday (27\/2\/2026).<\/p>\n
Ranti said that loans for consumptive needs should be avoided. Loans\nshould only be considered in urgent conditions, such as medical needs,\ndisasters, or calamities.<\/p>\n
She explained that pinjol, which was initially considered a quick\nsolution, could actually become a new source of problems when borrowers\nare unable to repay their obligations on time. Moreover, other, more\nurgent life needs often arise during the repayment period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem gets worse when interest rates increase, so the debt\nbecomes even bigger,\u201d said Ranti.<\/p>\n
In addition to the burden of interest, another risk that needs to be\nwatched out for is unethical collection practices, such as defamation,\nspreading personal data, and even harassment of borrowers and their\nfamilies. This condition not only has an impact on finances but also on\nmental health.<\/p>\n
Ranti also reminded the importance of adjusting spending to\nindividual financial capabilities. \u201cDon\u2019t be ashamed if our lifestyle is\ndifferent from others. In fact, we should be ashamed if we borrow money\nfor unimportant things just to look cool,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For those who are already trapped in pinjol, she advises looking for\nalternative interest-free loans with longer repayment periods to cover\nthe pinjol debt. \u201cThis bridging loan can ease the burden and provide\ntemporary relief, because being trapped in pinjol can be very disruptive\nand damage mental health,\u201d said Ranti.<\/p>\n
She invites people to get used to living according to their means so\nthat their finances remain healthy and their hearts are more at peace.\n\u201cBecause only with peace will we always be grateful to Allah SWT,\u201d said\nRanti.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/online-lending-trend-increases-during-ramadan-influenced-by-fomo-1772161093", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }