AFPI terminates membership of PT TIN after involving fire department in debt collection
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Fintech Peer-to-Peer Lending Association (AFPI) has begun the process of terminating the membership of PT Teknologi Internasional Nusantara (PT TIN), deemed to have violated AFPI regulations after involving personnel from the Semarang City Fire Department (Damkar) in debt collection activities against customers.
AFPI General Chairman Entjik S. Djafar stated that the association has investigated the chronology of the fictitious report received by the Semarang City Fire Department, Central Java, as part of debt collection activities by rogue agents of PT TIN, and has coordinated with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) regarding the case.
“AFPI does not tolerate any form of debt collection involving intimidation, threats, harassment, misuse of public facilities, or other actions contrary to ethics and applicable provisions,” said Entjik S. Djafar in an official statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.
Based on the investigation, he explained that PT TIN is a third-party debt collection services company employed by PT Indosaku Digital Teknologi (Indosaku) to support the debt collection process for customers.
In this context, PT TIN carries out operational debt collection functions as an external partner of Indosaku. Both companies are AFPI members.
As a follow-up, AFPI has initiated the termination of PT TIN’s membership in accordance with applicable provisions, as it is deemed to have violated AFPI Regulations prohibiting unethical debt collection in line with the AFPI Code of Conduct.
The association is also taking necessary steps against Indosaku, as the organising platform that collaborates with third parties, through applicable ethical mechanisms and guidance.
Entjik said these efforts are part of the association’s commitment to strengthening debt collection governance in the industry, including for members providing collection services, enhancing the implementation of the Code of Conduct, and improving certification, compliance, and field supervision aspects.
He conveyed that the association is also conducting a comprehensive review of the governance of using debt collection partners among members, including certification of competencies, compliance, and field supervision aspects.
The association is committed to maintaining consumer protection standards and encouraging all members to apply debt collection practices based on regulator provisions, including OJK Regulation No. 22 of 2023 on Consumer and Public Protection in the Financial Services Sector, as well as the AFPI Code of Conduct.
“We also thank the active role of the public in supervising this industry. Public criticism, input, and reports are an important part in driving continuous improvement. We invite the public to continue using AFPI’s official complaint channels if they find suspected violations,” added Entjik.
On Thursday afternoon (23/4), a perpetrator suspected to be a debt collector made a false fire incident report or “prank” to the Semarang City Fire Department.
Head of Operations and Rescue Division of the Semarang City Fire Department, Tantri Pradono, stated that a report was received via the fire department’s call centre regarding a fire at a fried rice stall.
After investigation, the stall owner suspected that the report was the work of a debt collector or loan enforcer intending to pressure him.
“We confirmed with the stall owner. He said the report was made by a payday loan debt collector to intimidate him over an online loan debt issue,” said Tantri.
The Semarang City Fire Department decided to pursue legal action by reporting the “prank” perpetrator to the police.
On Saturday (25/4), the perpetrator finally visited the Semarang City Fire Department office to deliver a direct apology.
Although the perpetrator’s personal apology has been accepted, Semarang City Fire Department Secretary Ade Bhakti emphasised that the decision to withdraw or proceed with the report lies with the institution’s leadership.