Pawnbroking busy prior to Idul Fitri

YOGYAKARTA: The state pawnbroking company in the Gunung Kidul regency has lent local residents Rp 321 million (US$45,714) this month, ahead of the Idul Fitri Muslim holiday, an employee said on Wednesday.

The loans averaged some Rp 13 million per day.

"Over the last two days, the loans even reached Rp 50 million," Wasiti, a cashier at the firm told The Jakarta Post.

She said most residents used their golden jewelry as collateral for the money they borrowed. Other items included electronics goods, motorcycles and traditional clothes.

Wasiti said some residents submitted kitchen equipment, mostly traditional rice cookers made of copper.

She said the items were valued at Rp 15,000 per kilogram. A kettle weighs between 2.5 kilograms to 3.5 kilograms.

She said residents of the Pacarejo subdistrict in the Semanu district went to the pawnshop in groups by buses they rented, carrying their copper kettles.

"It's quite usual here," she said. (swa/jun)