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Ar- Rahnu: Opportunities and Challenges in Malaysia

Article in SSRN Electronic Journal · January 2012

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2112809

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Calvin W. H. Cheong Jothee Sinnakkannu

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 Ar- Rahnu : Opportunities and Challenges in Malaysia

By

Calvin W. H. Cheong*
&
Jothee Sinnakkannu

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the key factors that have contributed to the existence and the growth of Ar- rahnu (Islamic pawn
broking scheme) in Malaysia. Based on the previous studies and cost of borrowing analysis, this paper found that the need for interest
(riba) free, transparent transaction and low cost short- term cash borrowing scheme is much preferred by the pawning customers.
Besides that the cost of borrowing in this scheme is the lowest compared to the conventional pawn broking scheme. However, the Ar-
rahnu scheme needs to address central issues such as the marketing, public awareness and the locations of this scheme.

Key words: Shariah Principles, pawn Broking, cost of borrowing.

Corresponding author:

Calvin W. H. Cheong
Department of Accounting & Finance Monash
University Sunway Campus Jalan Lagoon
Selatan
46150 Bandar Sunway
Selangor D. E. Malaysia
Telephone: +603–55146297
E-mail: calvincheong88@hotmail.com

==============================================================

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2112809

Introduction

In its conventional guise, pawn broking is a form of secured money lending provided by pawn shops; representing the simplest and
fastest source of short term cash borrowings. Prior to its introduction, a vast majority of Muslims in Malaysia and around the world had
limited alternatives for low-cost interest-free cash advances. Presently, the situation has improved with the introduction of a pawn
broking system based on the Maqasid al-Shariah, known as Ar-rahnu which is a source of interest-free microcredit. The dual
existence of conventional and Islamic pawn broking services has increased the level of competition in this industry, giving clients a
greater variety of choices in obtaining faster and simpler access to funding as opposed to conventional sources of funds from banks
and other financial institutions. The word Ar-Rahn, in its most literal sense, means a pledge or security for a loan. Under the Ar-rahnu
concept the borrower or Ar-Rahin is required to pledge or produce redeemable collateral or Ar-Rahn in the form of gold or silver as an
instrument of guarantee that the loan will be repaid (collateral redeemed) at the maturity of agreement. If the borrowed sum is not repaid at
maturity then the lender (Al- Murtahin) has the right to sell the collateral to recover the loan. Collateral is an important instrument for the
security of loan by providing a guarantee to the financial institution as it reduces the lenders risk and increases the borrowers cost of
default.

The literature on Islamic pawn broking in Malaysia is limited. However, some research has been conducted that studies the existence
and the operational system of the Ar-rahnu concept. These studies have documented the importance of pawn broking system in our
society (Sanusi and Johari, 2006; Mohammed et al., 2005; Lao, 2005; Ismail and Ahmad, 1997; Rugayah, 1986). The authors explore the
views of the Shariah view regarding the pricing system, assets pledged, customer service and the locality of Islamic pawn broking activity.
Ismail and Sanusi (2005) studied the importance of Shariah rules in the implementation of an Islamic pawn broking system. They
argued that Islamic principles such as wadiah, qardhul hassan and ujra must be given a careful consideration in establishing Islamic pawn
broking system. Similarly Mohammed et al. (2005) argued that wadiah, qardhul hassan and ujra makes Ar-rahnu clearly different from the
conventional pawnshop. Both however, stress that the prohibited elements of riba and gharar must be eliminated in the Ar-rahnu
system.

Mohammed et al., (2005) and Ismail and Ahmad (1997) examine the importance of pricing in the pawn broking transactions.
Mohammed et. al. (2005) found that service charges imposed under Ar-rahnu is relatively cheaper than the conventional pawn
broking system. This would mean that the cost of borrowing cash in an Islamic pawn broking system is lower than conventional
counterpart. Similarly, Ismail and Ahmad (1997) found Islamic pawn shops to charge a relatively lower transaction fee as
compared to conventional pawnshops. In a pawn broking system, the collateral is of paramount importance. Studies such as
Sanusi and Johari (2006), Mohamed et al. (2005) and Ismail and Ahmad (1997) observed the differences in the types of assets
pledged as collateral between Islamic and conventional pawn brokers. Sanusi and Johari (2006) found that Islamic pawn brokers
only accept gold and gold jewelry while conventional pawnshops accept items beyond gold and gold jewelry including Rolex
watches, rare gemstones such as diamonds and sometimes electrical and electronic items. Similarly, Islamic banking institutions
that offer Ar-rahnu schemes such as Bank Rakyat only accept gold as collateral. This finding is similar with studies conducted by
Mohammed et al., (2005) and Ismail and Ahmad (1997).

The key reason behind this strict requirement is to eliminate the element of gharar or uncertainty. Gold and sometimes silver, is a widely
traded commodity whose price information is widely and easily available. On top of that, institutions or specialists that provide testing
services that attest to the purity of the gold or silver are readily available. Hence, the borrower and lender can be assured that the value
placed on the gold or silver pledged is fair and transparent. Should any doubts on the objectivity of the valuation arise, there are many
other specialists who are willing to value the gold or silver for a small fee, thereby eliminating the

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2112809

element of gharar. Furthermore, according to Ismail and Ahmad (1997), the gold and gold items maintain their value over a
reasonable period of time and have high liquidity, hence their popularity.

This paper aims to identify the factors that contributed the growth of Islamic pawn broking in Malaysia on a conceptual basis. Although
Islamic pawn broking is relatively new in Malaysia, its existence has influenced the end users of short term debt market. This study also
aims to identify the current and potential key challenges and opportunities that Islamic pawn broking has. The rest of the paper is
structured as follows. Section 2 provides a history of pawn broking in Malaysia and around the world. Section 3 describes the
precepts underlying Ar-rahnu and how the Ar-rahnu system works in Malaysia. Section 4 provides a brief analysis between Ar-rahnu
and the conventional pawn broking system and highlights the challenges and future prospects of Ar-rahnu in Malaysia. Section 5
concludes.

Section 2 – Pawn Broking through the Ages

A Brief History of Pawn Broking

Pawn broking is not a recent addition to the economic system. Evidence of pawn broking can even be traced back to the times
before the financial system as we know it, came to existence. Pawn broking services, although not specifically named, was seen as
a highly profitable venture by the Jews especially since under Mosaic Law, Jews are forbidden to take interest from an impoverished
borrower. Pawn broking services were also largely available in Ancient Rome. During the reign of Emperor Augustus, surpluses
arising to the state from the confiscated property of criminals were placed in a fund to which money was lent without interest to
individuals who could pledge valuables equal to double the amount borrowed, that is to say, the value of the items pledged must be able
tocover the loaned amount in the eventof default.

Pawn broking services rose to popularity in Medieval Europe. In its initial form, pawn broking was purely benevolent venture; monts
de piete established by the authority of the popes lent money only to the poor, without interest on the sole condition that valuables
pledged covered the amount of money advanced. However, it soon became apparent that the charging of interest was necessary in order
for these ventures to remain profitable (Herbermann, 1913). It was not until the mid-seventeenth century that guidelines to pawn broking
were established, the Bank of England being the pioneer. However, it was only in 1800 when official legislation governing
pawnbroking was passed in the British Parliament, the details of which are considered to be the backbone of all future laws
governing pawn broking services.

A Brief History of Pawn Broking in Malaysia

Pawn broking services were introduced in Malaysia (then Malaya) in the 15th century through the diplomatic relations between
the Chinese and Malaccan empires. The Chinese merchants who remained in Malacca were the first pawnbrokers. Owing to Malacca‟s
status as an entrepôt, the Chinese pawnbrokers provided their services not only to the locals but to the other trade merchants as
well. To date, most conventional pawn broking businesses are controlled by the Chinese of Hakka descent (Shanmugam B, 1991).

In Malaysia, pawn broking is governed by the Pawnbrokers Act 1972. This Act outlines all the necessary guidelines and principles
that have to be adhered by both the pawnbroker and client. The number of conventional pawn broking licenses approved between
1985 and 2006 had increased by 21 percent. In 1985, the number of conventional pawn broking licenses was 194, while in 2006 the
figure has increased to
234. The states that have the greatest number of conventional pawn shops are Perak, Selangor, Johor, Kedah and Penang. The
states with a larger non-Malay population have the tendency of having a larger number of conventional pawn broking services
compared to states with a larger Malay population. As a result of this disparity, there has been a concerted effort to establish
interest-free credit firms for the Muslim community in Malaysia as well as around the globe ( Hamidullah, M. Ma‟ Arif)
3

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2112809

History of Ar-rahnu (Islamic Pawn broking) in Malaysia
The establishment of Islamic pawnshops was initiated in the East Coast states of Peninsula Malaysia simply because these states have
the largest concentration of Malays and Muslims. The Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YPEIM) was
the first to suggest the introduction of Ar-rahnu concept. Soon, the first Islamic pawn broking institution was established by the
Majlis Agama Islam or Islamic Religion Council by the Kelantan state government in January 1992. In March 1992, Kedai Al-Rahn
(KAR) a subsidiary of Permodalan Kelantan Berhad, the Kelantan state government‟s investment arm, commenced further
operations of such activity. At the same time the Terengganu State Government established the Muassasah Gadaian Islam
Terengganu (MGIT), which can be loosely translated as the Islamic Pawnbroking Service of Terengganu. The establishment of
the MGIT provided an alternative source of short term funding that at the same time adhered to methods considered halal under the
Shariah.

Consequently the Minister of Finance announced a scheme called “Skim Ar-rahnu” (SAR) on 21st August 1993 through the
collaboration of Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank of Malaysia), the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation
and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad. Later during the year (SAR) was launched at six branches of Bank Rakyat Malaysia.
Another interesting turn of events that underlined the development of Islamic pawn broking in Malaysia is the legal barrier
imposed on conventional practice in Kelantan. In 1995, the state government of Kelantan ordered the cessation of all riba or interest
based conventional pawnshops in its jurisdiction. Nonetheless, the conventional pawnshops primarily owned and operated by non-
Muslims may continue to operate if they were to deal in accordance with the Ar-rahnu principles (Shaari and Azlina, 2003).

It was reported that in 2004 the number of Ar-rahnu clients stood at 1.22 million with an accumulated loan amounting to RM1.17 billion
(ABAC Malaysia, 2008). Also, since its establishment, the MGIT has seen its number of clients double from 12,732 in 1992 to
26,632 in 2005. The value of items pledged too has increased from RM9.85 million in 1992 to RM28.9 million in 2005.

Section 3 – The Ar-rahnu Mechanism

General Precepts of Ar-rahnu

Islamic pawn broking is based on a combination of four concepts:

1. Qardhul Hasan (Benevolent loan)

A financial institution will grant a benevolent loan (interest-free) to the applicant who wishes to pawn his valuable item. The loan
issued under the concept of Qardhul Hasan requires the borrower to pay the same amount borrowed to redeem the valuable item at
the maturity of the agreed period.

2. Wadiah Yad-Amanah (Trustworthiness)

The borrower is required to produce returnable collateral to ensure repayment of the loan. On this precept, the borrower
entrusts the lender to look after the belongings during the loan period (following the third precept Al-Ujrah). If circumstances
beyond control and not due to the lender‟s negligence occurs and damages the collateral item, the lender is not required to
replace the item.

3. Al-Ujrah (Safe keeping)

Under Al-Ujrah the lender is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for the services rendered in keeping the pawned items safe and in good
condition. The financial institution accepts custody of the valuable asset on the basis of Wadiah or trust whereby the financial
institution promises to keep the valuable asset in a safe place and return it to the borrower on the agreed date. The lending
institution takes the

4
 precautionary measure such as providing security and insurance to ensure the asset‟s safe return once the client has cleared his
debt.

4. Wadiah Yad-Dhamanah (Safekeeping with guarantee)

Loosely based on the Al-Ujrah, the lender will be held responsible for the safeguarding of the assets pledge by the client no
matter the circumstances. Should the asset(s) be damaged or go missing while in the lender‟s care, the lender will bear the
responsibility of compensating the borrower to the value of the asset(s) pledged in cash or in kind.

Ar-rahnu Practices in Malaysia

Regardless of the amount of funding required, collateral is mandatory and only in the form of gold or silver. As to the purity of the metals,
different institutions have their specific guidelines. As a general principle, the cash advance made is less than the value of collateral
pledged. Normally, the financial institutions provide financing up to 75% of the gold/silver value and a maximum value of
RM5000.00 per day up to a cumulative amount of RM25000.00. The maximum repayment period is 6 months with an extension of
not more than 4 months subject to certain conditions.

Table 1 illustrates the margin of credit facility and the maximum allowable loan amount in Islamic pawn broking in Malaysia. Table
2 illustrates the loan period and the maximum extended period allowed by Islamic pawn broking system in Malaysia. Based on table
2, generally the Ar-rahnu system allows 6 months period to redeem any collateral on money borrowed. This time period is similar to the
conventional pawn broking system.

Table 1: Percentage of Available Loan to Collateral Value and Maximum Allowable Loan
Amount offered by Islamic Pawn Broking Institutions
Institution Total Available Loan asa Maximum Loan Amount
% of total collateral value
Muassasah Gadaian Islam 75% RM 1,500.00
Terengganu (MGIT)
Bank Kerjasama Rakyat ( 60% RM 5,000.00 per day or not more than RM
Bank Rakyat) 25,000 of accumulated loan
amount.
Kedai Al-Rahn Kelantan 50% RM 5,000.00 per Receipt
Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad 60% RM 5,000.00 per day or not more than
RM 25,000 of accumulated loan
amount.
Kedai Al-Rahn Perlis 70% RM 5,000.00 per day or not more than
RM 25,000 of accumulated loan
amount.

5
 Table 2: Loan Period and Extended Period by Islamic Pawn Broking Institutions in Malaysia
Institution Loan Period Extended Loan Period
Muassasah Gadaian Islam 3 Months 3 Months
Terengganu (MGIT)
Bank Kerjasama Rakyat 6 months 4 Months
( Bank Rakyat)
Kedai Al-Rahn Kelantan 6 months 3 Months
Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad 6 months 3 Months
Kedai Al-Rahn Perlis 6 months 2 Months

Table 3 and 4 provides the summary of monthly safekeeping charges by the Ar-rahnu division of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and
Kedai Ar-rahnu Kelantan respectively. It can be observed that the safekeeping charges vary according to the value of the collateral item
pledged. It should be noted that the safekeeping charges are imposed based on the collateral items value and not based on the loan
amount.

Table 3: Monthly Safekeeping rate charged by Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad

Collateral Item Value ( RM) Rate for every RM100 / month
1 to1,000 RM 0.60
1,001 to 5,000 RM 0.70
5,001 to 10,000 RM 0.80

Table 4: Monthly Safekeeping rate charged by Kedai Ar-rahnu Kelantan

Collateral Item Value ( RM) Rate for every RM100 / month
1to 400 RM 0.60
401 to 2,000 RM 0.80
2,001 to 10,000 RM 0.95

If the borrower defaults to redeem the collateral by the maximum period allowed or did not extend the period, a notice informing
the borrower that the pawned item will be auctioned will be sent. If there is no response then the pawned asset will be auctioned off to
recover the amount outstanding and any surplus will be given back to the owner of the asset. In the event the borrower‟s where
about cannot be traced then it is Islamic institutions responsibility to put aside the fund in the Baitulmal account for future savings for if
any claims be made for the surplus by the owner or his heir, which is contrarian to the conventional pawn broking. Functioning of
Muslim funds and their activities could also be found in the work of Khatkhatay (1997), and Bagsiraj (2003).

Section 4 - Discussion

Ar-rahnu vs. Conventional Pawn Broking Cost of Borrowing

Although we can continue to expound on the mechanism and benefits of Ar-rahnu over conventional pawnbroking (CPB),
rational clients of financial institutions are only concerned over the cost of borrowing from one system against another. Here, we
provide a simple hypothetical yet illustrative example on the cost of borrowing through Ar-rahnu and CPB. First, we assume that the
valuables pledged in both methods are gold of equal quality and value; beginning with a nominal value of RM500.00 up to the
maximum of RM10,000.00. The loan margin is assumed to be 60 percent in both Ar-rahnu and CPB. The cost of borrowing
under Ar-rahnu is calculated based on the safekeeping charges while charges under CPB is calculated based on the monthly interest
charges. The safekeeping charges are adopted from Bank Rakyat‟s

6
Ar-rahnu scheme while the CPB interest rate is fixed at two percent per month as was found by Ismail and Ahmad (1997).

Figure 1 shows the annual cost of borrowing under the Ar-rahnu and the CPB scheme. It can be observed that loans under Ar-rahnu
incur a lower cost of borrowing relative to the loan amount as compared to the CPB scheme. The annual cost of borrowing in the
Ar-rahnu scheme is about half the cost of the CPB scheme which has a flat rate of 24 percent per annum. It is also evident that the
cost of borrowing under Ar-rahnu is about 11 percent per annum when the collateral value is RM500.00, rising only as the value of
collateral increases. Nevertheless, even when RM10,000.00 worth of collateral is pledged, the cost of borrowing is only 15
percent per annum.

Figure 1: Annual cost of borrowing in Ar-rahnu (Bank Rakyat) and Conventional Pawn Broking
(CPB)
Annual Cost of Borrowing

30.00

25.00

20.00
Percent

Ar-rahnu
15.00
CPB

10.00

5.00

0.00
1000.00

1500.00

2000.00

2500.00

3000.00

3500.00

4000.00

4500.00

5000.00

5500.00

6000.00

6500.00

7000.00

7500.00

8000.00

8500.00

9000.00

9500.00

10000.00
500.00

Gold Value

THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

7
We repeat the same hypothetical example using the safekeeping charges of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and Kedai Ar-rahnu Kelantan.
The results are displayed in Figures 2 and 3 respectively.

Figure 2: Annual cost of borrowing in Ar-rahnu (Bank Islam) and Conventional Pawn Broking
(CPB)

Annual Cost of Borrowing

30.00
25.00
20.00
Percent

15.00
10.00 Ar-Rahnu
5.00 CPB
0.00
500.00

10000.00
1000.00
1500.00
2000.00
2500.00
3000.00
3500.00
4000.00
4500.00
5000.00
5500.00
6000.00
6500.00
7000.00
7500.00
8000.00
8500.00
9000.00
9500.00
Gold Value

Figure 3: Annual cost of borrowing in Ar-rahnu (Kedai Ar-rahnu Kelantan) and Conventional Pawn
Broking (CPB)

Annual Cost of Borrowing

30.00
25.00
20.00
Percent

15.00
10.00 ACB
5.00 CPB
0.00
1000.00
1500.00
2000.00
2500.00
3000.00
3500.00
4000.00
4500.00
5000.00
5500.00
6000.00
6500.00
7000.00
7500.00
8000.00
8500.00
9000.00
9500.00
200.00
400.00
500.00

10000.00

Gold Value

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, loans under Ar-rahnu incur a lower cost of borrowing relative to the loan amount as compared to
the CPB scheme. The annual cost of borrowing in the Ar-rahnu scheme is still about half the cost of the CPB scheme. It is also evident
that the cost of borrowing under Ar-rahnu is about 12 percent per annum when the collateral value is RM500.00, rising only as the value of
collateral increases. Even when RM10,000.00 worth of collateral is pledged, the cost of borrowing rises to 16 percent per annum.
Moreover, when we used Kedai Ar-rahnu Kelantan‟s safekeeping charges, which is the highest

8
among the three financial institutions for values up to RM10,000.00, the annual cost of borrowing is still lower than that of the
CPB.

Although the cost of borrowing rises as the value of collateral increases, it seems fair compensation for the lender for proper
safeguarding of the asset(s) pledged as collateral as the lender bears the risk and the responsibility in the event of any untoward
incidents. Despite this, our hypothetical example has shown that, ceteris paribus, the Ar-rahnu system has a significantly lower cost
of borrowing as opposed to the conventional pawnbroking system. Furthermore, it is safe to say that the Ar-rahnu system is more
beneficial, especially to individuals from the lower income group. Normally, such borrowers will be looking towards financing for
amounts below RM5,000.00. Under the conventional system, these borrowers will be looking at a cost of borrowing of 24 percent per
annum or sometimes higher. Under the Ar-rahnu system, the cost of borrowing such a sum would be at most 19 percent per annum; a
significant amount of savings for such folk.

Challenges faced by Ar-rahnu

Despite the significant cost savings the Ar-rahnu system provides, it has yet to gain widespread popularity not only because of
competition from the conventional pawn broking system but from underground money lending activities as well. These money
lenders sometimes called loan sharks or Ah Long in Malaysia provide ready cash advances to small income individuals, petty traders as
well as for illicit purposes. Their loans often come at very high interest rates, some as high as 20 percent per month on top of other
charges such as agreement fees and stamp duties. In spite of these unreasonable conditions, these loan sharks remain popular
because the borrower need not pledge any collateral or provide any other documentation besides signing what is essentially an
“IOU” certificate.

This illegal activity has grown over the years, forming large syndicates that prey on borrowers who are desperately in need of cash
(gamblers for example) but do not possess any assets. These circumstances are particularly challenging for the Ar-rahnu system to
gain foothold because even borrowers who have sufficient assets that can be pledged as collateral choose not to utilize Ar-rahnu but
instead patronize the loan sharks as they can borrow up to a 90 percent margin, sometimes even 100 percent without collateral.

Future prospects for Ar-rahnu

Despite the availability and accessibility of illegal money lenders, banks for personal loans and also conventional pawn broking
facilities, the growth of Islamic pawn broking facilities seems to have taken firmer inroads in the highly regulated and diverse
financial market.

This is evident as the Ar-rahnu concept has been introduced in many Islamic banks and state owned banks such as the Agro Bank in
Malaysia. The Islamic pawn broking division in Bank Rakyat started with only 5 outlets in 1993; by 2003 it has grown to 106 outlets
operating successfully in all over the country. Since the introduction of Ar-rahnu scheme in 1993, Bank Rakyat alone has
advanced RM844 millions up to September 2002 involving nearly 888,000 Ar- Rahnu account holders. By December 2001,
the total accumulative safekeeping earned was RM44.37 million (since inception). (Mohd Sharif, 2002)

The average annual income derived from Ar-rahnu scheme alone was more than RM10 million for Bank Rakyat. The annual
reports of 2001 and 2002 revealed that the Ar-rahnu financing and advances were RM81.165 millions and RM119.805 millions
respectively. The deposits from Ar-rahnu fund in 2001 and 2002 were amounting to RM38.223 millions and RM35.223 millions
respectively. The total expenditure with regards to the scheme was RM3.330 millions and RM3.324 millions respectively (Annual
Report of Bank Rakyat, 2001 & 2002). Despite the increased competition from so many financial institutions and conventional
pawn brokers, the growth of Islamic pawn broking seems to grow consistently since its inception. We have identified a number of
reasons for the achievements of the Ar-rahnu system:

9
 1. There is scarcity for credit especially for consumption purposes. Islamic pawn broking adheres to Shariah principles. This
attracts the Muslim community to place their collateral items in exchange for credit facilities.

2. Unlike financial institutions, pawnbrokers do not question the purpose for which credit is sought. Financial institutions
requires pages of information, business projection income statement (if for business purpose), guarantor and many other
strict requirements

3. Islamic pawn broking (like the conventional pawn broking) do not set restrictions or stipulations on the manner in which
the fund has to be used

4. There are no extra fees or charges like stamp duty or legal fees

5. The process is immediate because as soon as the collateral items are verified, money is granted to the borrower. The normal
waiting period is less than 30 minutes

6. In comparison to other sources of informal credit, example money lenders and conventional pawn brokers who may charge
interest from 2 – 20% per month, Islamic pawn brokers are relatively very cheap where the charges are usually about
1percent per month

7. No other financial institutions (other than conventional pawn brokers) will provide credit for the type of collateral held by
the customers

8. The credit can be used for long term purpose, since as long as the safekeeping fees are fully paid, the duration of the credit
can be extended indefinitely.

Section 5- Conclusion
It is a fact that Islamic pawn broking system has the capacity and capability to fill the gap in the short-term credit structure of the
country. Islamic pawn broking is not a competition to the conventional pawn broking but it is compensating the rising demand.
Ever since the introduction of Islamic pawn broking service, the demand for it is increasing continuously. Customers prefer Islamic
pawn broking services to conventional pawn broking services because the former provide fast, hassle-free, riba-free and transparent
micro credit facilities.

As a catalyst for further growth of Islamic pawn broking in Malaysia, it is necessary for the operators to take aggressive measures
especially in view of creating awareness among prospective customers. The operators (pawn brokers) should take initiatives to
disseminate the information about its operations, principles, and schemes through media, brochures and online FAQs. Malaysia has
great opportunities and expertise to develop Islamic pawn broking business in this region. The government should encourage those who
are in dire need for fast cash to approach Islamic pawn brokers rather than resort to illegal money lenders who charge exorbitant
interest rates and unfair recovery practices. More Islamic pawnshops should be opened in rural and over populated areas to avoid
monopolization and control by a few pawn brokers.

10
 References
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Bank Rakyat Malaysia Bhd Website http://www.bankrakyat.com.my/index.php?ch=6&pg=26&ac=13&lang=en

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Sanusi, N.A., & Johari, M.S. (2006). “Prestasi perkhidmatan Ar-rahnu: Kajian kes MGIT”. Proceedings of National
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