Optimizing the Role of Cooperatives in Reducing Loan Sharks in Tasikmalaya Regency

Abstract

The high level of living needs versus people's income, which tends to stagnate, is the main factor in the rampant practice of loan sharking in Tasikmalaya Regency, especially according to BPS data, where as many as 10.73% of people are still classified as weak economic categories. In practice, loan sharks offer easy and fast loan services but set interest rates high enough that they harm the level of public welfare. Therefore, all parties are expected to cooperate optimally with each other to strengthen the role of cooperatives as an alternative to better loan distribution. Considering that cooperatives are economic teachers who have long been instilled in this nation, The purpose of this study is to examine the role and efforts of cooperatives in reducing the practice of loan sharks. The method used is qualitative descriptive analysis with data collection through observation, interviews, and literature studies. The results of this study provide recommendations for strategies that can be applied by cooperatives to reduce financing practices that harm the community to create a more prosperous society and further strengthen the economy.