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OJK Charts 2026 Priorities: MSME Access And Digital Security Take Center Stage
OJK moves from policy to action on MSMEs, will monitor banks' implementation plans and mandates that digitalization advances without compromising data security. ()
Jakarta — The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has delineated a clear and actionable agenda for Indonesia's financial industry following its comprehensive Year-End Dialogue. The high-level forum, attended by chief executives and representatives from across the financial services spectrum, served to translate broad policy goals into specific operational priorities for 2026. A key takeaway was the transition from rule-making to active enforcement, particularly concerning financial access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the secure adoption of digital technologies. This signals a year of focused implementation and heightened supervisory follow-through.
The spotlight firmly rested on the execution of POJK 19/2025, a landmark regulation designed to catalyze lending to MSMEs. OJK Chairman Mahendra Siregar announced that the authority will now shift to scrutinizing the business plans of banks and non-bank financial institutions, ensuring they contain tangible steps and commitments to increase MSME financing. This "watchdog" approach on implementation marks a significant escalation from merely setting the regulatory framework, holding institutions accountable for translating policy into actual credit flow to the grassroots economy.
Simultaneously, OJK tackled a persistent myth hindering credit access. Chairman Siregar explicitly debunked the misconception that institutions are barred from lending to borrowers with non-performing credit histories. He clarified that for small-ticket loans unrelated to systemic risk indicators, no such prohibition exists, urging lenders to make balanced decisions based on risk management rather than undue caution. This direct communication aims to unlock credit for a wider segment of productive but underserved businesses.
On the digital front, the message was one of obligatory advancement tempered by caution. Leadership framed digitalization not as an optional upgrade but as a "mandatory journey" essential for the sector's efficiency and competitiveness. However, this push is inextricably linked to a mandate for robust cybersecurity. The regulator stressed that the acceleration of digital business processes must be matched by equally advanced measures to protect sensitive consumer and institutional data, highlighting cybersecurity as a cornerstone of market confidence.
The dialogue's structure reflected the breadth of OJK's supervisory mandate. Proceedings were segmented into deep-dive sessions for each major sub-sector: Banking; Insurance, Guarantees, and Pension Funds; Capital Markets; and the Fintech and Digital Assets arena. This allowed for tailored discussions on sector-specific challenges and opportunities, ensuring the overarching priorities of resilience and inclusion are effectively applied across the diverse financial landscape.
Integral to the discussions were parallel tracks on market conduct and governance. Sessions led by the chiefs of Consumer Protection and the Audit Board focused on embedding ethical business practices, enhancing financial literacy, and fortifying corporate governance frameworks. This underscores OJK's comprehensive view of stability, which encompasses not just financial metrics but also fair treatment of consumers and the integrity of institutional management.
This forward-looking dialogue is set against the backdrop of a sector that has weathered global volatility. Previous OJK assessments have acknowledged external risks but confirmed the stability of Indonesia's financial services, bolstered by controlled inflation and solid economic fundamentals. The current dialogue builds upon this resilience, aiming to direct the sector's strength towards more inclusive and innovative outcomes.
In closing, the event reinforced the value of open regulator-industry communication. Vice Chairman Mirza Adityaswara thanked participants for their valuable input, which OJK will evaluate for actionable policy responses. The 2025 Year-End Dialogue thus concludes not as a one-way briefing, but as a collaborative step towards a more robust, inclusive, and technologically adept financial ecosystem for Indonesia in 2026 and beyond.
(Hashim Zafran)
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