Sultan urges wisdom, prudence and caution in financial decisions
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) – Yogyakarta Special Region Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X urged families and the public to apply wisdom, prudence and caution in their everyday financial decisions.
“Javanese culture has the philosophy of Gemi, Nastiti, Ngati-ati. I would like to encourage us to bring these values closer to our everyday financial decisions,” Sri Sultan said at the Financial Expo and the culmination of the 2026 Financial Inclusion Month (BIK) in Yogyakarta on Sunday.
He said Gemi teaches people to use their income wisely. Families should distinguish between needs and wants, and set aside some of their income for the future.
“The ability to control spending is a provision for determining the direction of one’s own life,” he said.
Nastiti means being careful before making a decision. When choosing savings, financing, insurance or investments, people should understand the benefits and obligations, as well as the costs and risks, he said.
“Ngati-ati reminds us that convenience should always be accompanied by vigilance. Protect the confidentiality of personal data. Check that service providers are licensed, and consider your ability to repay before borrowing,” he said.
Sri Sultan said people were entitled to honest explanations, products suited to their needs and support when they encountered problems with financial services. Trust grows when people feel understood and protected, he said.
“I urge financial services institutions to make this exhibition a place to listen. A small trader may need financing with instalments that match the turnover of their business. A worker may need an affordable way to save,” he said.
Sri Sultan said he hoped the event would be followed by sustained education and services. The number of accounts and transactions should be considered alongside people’s ability to manage their finances and the contribution financing makes to business continuity.
“Local governments, regulators and the financial services industry need to ensure that support reaches markets, schools and kalurahan [village-level administrative areas],” he said.
He also urged the public to improve their financial understanding so that every decision genuinely matched their needs and means. Ultimately, money should remain a means of improving people’s lives, he said.
“Behind every account is a human hope: a child’s education being pursued, a business being established, and a peaceful retirement to look forward to. It is these hopes that all our efforts to promote financial inclusion are dedicated to,” he said.
Yogyakarta Financial Services Authority (OJK) head Eko Yunianto said the 2026 national financial literacy and inclusion survey found that Indonesia’s financial literacy rate was 69.57%, while its financial inclusion rate was 93.61%.
He said the survey put Yogyakarta’s financial literacy rate at 76.44%, ranking seventh nationally, and its financial inclusion rate at 98.74%, ranking second.