Central Information Commission Urges Transparency That Benefits Young People
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Central Information Commission (KIP) is urging public bodies to expand information transparency practices beyond regulatory compliance and make a tangible difference to the public, particularly young people, through digital and financial literacy education.
KIP chair Handoko Agung Saputro praised the Financial Services Authority (OJK) for educating students at Sekolah Rakyat about financial literacy and how to manage information amid the rapid development of digital technology.
“OJK is carrying out its duties and responsibilities in communicating with the public and being open to it. In particular, students at Sekolah Rakyat are being equipped to establish whether information is accurate, especially information related to finance,” he said at an OJK Digiclass education event for Sekolah Rakyat students in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said the activity showed that public information transparency could go beyond meeting formal obligations by ensuring that the information provided helps people understand issues they encounter in everyday life.
He said the education was important because people can now access information more easily through mobile phones, websites and social media. However, the torrent of information also puts people at risk of accepting claims without having time to check whether they are true.
He therefore urged young people not to trust information or offers they encounter online immediately. One issue to watch out for is online loan offers from unclear sources.
He advised the public to check information and verify a service provider’s legal status before downloading an app or sharing personal data. Apps from unclear sources could expose users’ data, as well as that of their family members, to misuse.
“If you come across information or a particular offer related to an online loan, it needs to be checked. Do not just download or open an APK,” he said.
Handoko also highlighted the important role of families in building digital skills. Children’s education should go hand in hand with parents’ understanding, so that family members can remind one another when they encounter suspicious information or offers.
He said he hoped the educational approach taken by OJK and relevant ministries could serve as an example for other public bodies in implementing information transparency more widely.
He said that providing information that is accurate, appropriate and accountable must be accompanied by efforts to ensure it is understood and benefits the public.
Through this approach, public information transparency is expected not to stop at making information available, but also to help young people improve their knowledge and ability to make careful decisions amid the development of digital technology.