OJK Chief Urges Young People to Do This to Avoid a Messy Life

Yogyakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Friderica Widyasari Dewi, chair of the Board of Commissioners at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), stressed the importance of financial management, especially for young people starting their careers. If financial management is neglected, adult life can become chaotic.

‘Secondly, we must use technology wisely. You are now bombarded by technology; it is very dangerous if you do not know what you are using and you end up tapping and clicking indiscriminately—it’s very dangerous,’ Friderica said at the Jogja Financial Festival (Finfest) 2026 in Yogyakarta on Friday 22 May 2026.

She emphasised the importance of building financial literacy and resilience from an early age to prepare for the future. OJK has also been actively educating the public about financial matters, so it’s not only about inclusion but also literacy.

‘The digital economy is being promoted, but it must be done carefully. We must learn to invest,’ she asserted.

‘TYoung people who learn to manage money today are laying the groundwork for their future freedom,’ Friderica added.

She also revealed the challenges faced by the younger generation today are no longer about obtaining information but about the ability to sift through correct information amid the torrent of digital content.

According to her, Gen Z is now the dominant group colouring the national financial sector because they grew up in the digitalisation era and a flood of information.

‘Gen Z is very interesting. They colour our financial sector. They are the first generation to grow up in the digitalisation era,’ she said.