General Questions

Can non-Muslims become Sharia Bank customers?

Yes. The spirit of sharia is a blessing for the universe, as stated in the Qur'an: "And we did not send you (Muhammad) except as a mercy for the universe" (21:107). Thus, sharia banking services can be enjoyed by Muslims and non-Muslims.

I got financing from a sharia bank, but it turned out that the installments I had to pay were more expensive than conventional banks. Is this sharia compliant?

The price aspect is not actually a sharia area, but a business area. This means that the price of a product is determined based on business considerations, namely supply, demand and value received/perceived by customers. Likewise, in determining the price of financing distributed by Islamic banks, pay attention to supply, demand and value for customers. In practice, sometimes a sharia bank financing product is more expensive than a conventional bank, while other financing products are cheaper. Financing products between a sharia bank and other sharia banks also vary.

Currently, Islamic banks are increasingly providing lottery programs to customers, especially funding customers. Isn't lottery included in the category of gambling?

Lottery is a tool/instrument that can have positive or negative value (including gambling). The practice of raffles held by sharia banks does not constitute gambling, because customers are not charged any fees to take part in the raffles. Therefore, Islamic banks are allowed to carry out the lottery

What is the role of Islamic banking in the Indonesian economy? Especially the micro segment?

Sharia banks are the locomotive driving the economy which relies on real sector growth, while providing a larger portion to the micro segment.

What is the main competitiveness of local sharia banks compared to foreign sharia banks?

We see that, as a subsidiary bank of the nation, a local sharia bank of course and should understand market needs, be able to make attractive products and present them in accordance with the nation's culture.