PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Financial Services Authority (OJK) considers Bandung City worthy of being a national example in the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as efforts to combat loan shark practices through an integrated ecosystem approach.

This was conveyed by the Head of the West Java OJK, Darwisman, at the Great MSMEs of Bandung City Strong Together with Bank bjb event at the Multipurpose Building of Bandung City Hall, Thursday (20/8/2026).

Darwisman appreciated Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan's consistent efforts to strengthen MSMEs by increasing access to financing, financial literacy, and protecting the public from the clutches of loan sharks.

"My role model is Mr. Farhan. Last year, he received the national Financial Literacy Award from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) through the Loan Shark Clean Village and Anti-Loan Shark Task Force programs," Darwisman said.

According to him, Bandung City's success demonstrates that empowering MSMEs is not sufficient through capital distribution alone, but must be built through an ecosystem involving the government, regulators, banks, and business actors.

Darwisman stated that the OJK will continue to encourage strengthening financial literacy and inclusion so that the public will increasingly understand the benefits of formal financial services.

"Don't go to loan sharks, don't go to banks. Take advantage of official financing facilities that are cheaper, safer, and more scalable," he said.

Meanwhile, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the Bandung City Government continues to encourage business actors to access formal financing and not rely on high-interest loans.

"We want micro-entrepreneurs to have access to the banking sector. That's why we're collaborating with Bank bjb to provide them with sound and legal financing options," said Farhan.

He also said that MSMEs who want to grow must pay attention to business legality aspects such as ownership of a Business Identification Number (NIB), Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP), halal certificates, and BPOM permits.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)