Yogyakarta pawnshops hit Rp 1.3b jackpot<\/p>\n
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
State-run pawnshops in Yogyakarta province recorded a sharp
\nincrease in the number of customers two weeks before Idul Fitri
\nfestivities, with around Rp 1.3 billion (USS152,941) involved in
\ndaily transactions.<\/p>\n
It was a 30 percent increase from normal transactions of
\naround Rp 1 billion before the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan
\nbegan, a spokesperson for the Yogyakarta pawnshops Sri Yanti said
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
\"Right now it is still not the peak situation yet. A week
\nbefore Idul Fitri, transactions could reach about Rp 1.75 billion
\nper day,\" she said, referring to the end of Ramadhan celebrations
\nthat officially begin on Nov. 25.<\/p>\n
Sri added that through September this year, at least 67
\npawnshops in the province recorded 1,460,059 transactions worth
\nRp 323.64 billion or Rp 35 billion per month on average.<\/p>\n
She said over half of the transactions involved jewelry. Other
\npawned articles included electronic goods and motorcycles.<\/p>\n
Most of the customers were university students from outside
\nYogyakarta, who usually leave for their hometowns during Idul
\nFitri, she added.<\/p>\n
Sri said the students and other customers had to pawn their
\nbelongings, in part due to security concerns, because most fear
\nthat if they leave things behind they will be stolen.<\/p>\n
\"They entrust their motorcycles or TV sets to the pawnshops,
\nand get some extra spending money for the trip to their
\nhometowns,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Husodo, branch manager of the Lempuyangan pawnshop, said that
\nhis office recorded transactions valued at Rp 2.3 billion per
\nmonth and around 60 percent of the customers were students.<\/p>\n
Hendito Wibowo, 24, a fourth-year student at a private
\nuniversity who hails from Balikpapan, admitted he was a regular
\npawnshop customer.<\/p>\n
He said he pawned his valuables each year ahead of Idul Fitri,
\nsaying it was a necessary precaution due to thievery when people
\nwere known to be out of town for some time.<\/p>\n
\"I pawn my goods for only Rp 500,000 for additional pocket
\nmoney to return to Balikpapan. The most important thing is that I
\nfeel secure leaving stuff here,\" Hendito added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/yogyakarta-pawnshops-hit-rp-13b-jackpot-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}