Investment is an important activity that should be undertaken by everyone. It serves as a means to increase income and achieve long-term financial goals. There are various types of investment options available, ranging from real assets such as property and precious metals to paper assets including stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and other financial instruments. When discussing paper assets, the concept of the capital market inevitably becomes central.

One of the potential risks associated with investing in the capital market is the occurrence of capital market crimes. In Indonesia, several cases related to such crimes have been recorded. Therefore, before starting to invest, investors are required to meet certain prerequisites to ensure that their investment decisions do not lead to future regret. First and foremost, investors must allocate funds specifically intended for investment purposes. Investment funds should not be obtained through borrowing. Since investment is generally long-term and subject to value fluctuations, it is essential that investors do not use funds designated for daily living expenses. Ideally, investment funds should be allocated separately so that financial management remains well-structured and balanced.

Another important principle is to know your product. Investors are expected to understand and recognize the investment products they choose, including their features, benefits, risks, rights, and obligations. Investors are also encouraged to remember the principle of “2L”: Legal and Logical. Promises of high returns should always be assessed critically, particularly when the associated risks are unclear.

Is investing in the capital market safe? When funds are deposited in banks, they are protected by the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS). Similarly, investments in the Indonesian capital market are also protected through the establishment of the Investor Protection Fund managed by the Indonesia Securities Investor Protection Fund (SIPF). Indonesia SIPF, officially known as PT Penyelenggara Program Perlindungan Investor Efek Indonesia (P3IEI), is responsible for administering the Investor Protection Fund and operates under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority (OJK). This protection framework is regulated under OJK Regulation No. 49/POJK.04/2016 on the Investor Protection Fund and OJK Regulation No. 50/POJK.04/2016 on its implementation.

In response to these issues, the Master’s Program in Islamic Economics (MES), Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI), UIN Sunan Kalijaga, organized a Public Lecture themed “Investor Protection in the Indonesian Capital Market.” The event aimed to contribute ideas and perspectives on various efforts to protect capital market investors in Indonesia, both in conventional and Islamic finance contexts. The session featured Muhammad Arif, SE., MSi., Head of the Operations Division of the Securities Investor Protection Fund (SIPF) Indonesia; Dr. Prasojo, MSc., Lecturer at FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga; and Wahyu Sukohartanto, SE., MM, representing BRI Danareksa, Yogyakarta Branch.

The event was held on Tuesday, 21 February 2023, and also served as a welcoming occasion for new students of the MES Program for the even semester intake of the 2022/2023 academic year. A total of 60 new students participated in the event, which took place at the FEBI Auditorium, 5th Floor, UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Following the Public Lecture, the agenda continued with the General Assembly (Musyawarah Besar) of the Master’s Student Association of Islamic Economics (HMPM). This assembly functioned as a regeneration forum that resulted in the formation of a new HMPM executive board for the 2023 term.