Tuesday, 26 May 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor Rico Waas received the Head of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) of North Sumatra, Khoirul Muttaqin, during a farewell visit at Medan City Hall on Friday (May 22, 2026). The meeting marked an official departure moment as Khoirul is set to take on a new assignment in Jakarta.
The meeting took place in a cordial yet formal atmosphere, combining a farewell agenda with discussions on strategic financial oversight issues. Mayor Rico Waas was accompanied by City Secretary Wiriya Alrahman and the Acting Head of Medan's Finance and Asset Management Agency, Suluh Aulia Harahap.Both parties used the occasion to reflect on ongoing cooperation between the local government and OJK in strengthening financial governance and public education.
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During the discussion, Mayor Rico Waas raised concerns over the rapid spread of online gambling, which he described as an emerging form of digital financial crime.
"This is no longer just gambling. The systems are often manipulated and cause significant harm. These practices are increasingly developing into digital fraud," he said.He emphasized that the impact is not limited to low-income communities, but also affects higher-income groups who are drawn in by the lure of quick profits.
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Rico Waas stressed the importance of closer collaboration between local authorities, OJK, and Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs to curb digital financial crimes more effectively. He also highlighted risks from illegal online lending platforms and unregulated digital financial services.
At the same time, he acknowledged OJK's role in expanding financial literacy programs in Medan, including plans to establish a dedicated OJK office building in the city.OJK reported that online gambling transactions in North Sumatra reached approximately IDR 1.7 trillion, with Medan accounting for around IDR 800 billion of that total. Around 500 city officials in Medan have also participated in financial education programs.
Read Also:"I would like to thank the Mayor and the Medan City Government for their support and cooperation in our financial literacy programs," said Khoirul Muttaqin before his departure to Jakarta. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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