AIDILFITRI BALANCES TRADITION AND STUDENT FINANCIAL LITERACY

 

By:

Nur Farahanim binti Rusli

Pelajar Pelatih

Pusat Kokurikulum dan Pembangunan Pelajar

Universiti Putra Malaysia

 

No. Tel: 010-827 9079

 

The echo of the Aidilfitri takbir that echoes signifies victory after a month of Ramadan in the madrasah and is a manifestation of strengthening the brotherhood in the community.
However, there is a reality that often escapes the radar of mainstream discussions, namely the challenge of financial management among students. Aidilfitri is also a test of students' economic resilience and wisdom in managing limited resources.

The majority of students today move on a thin financial chain, relying entirely on educational loans such as PTPTN, scholarships, or assistance from family.

Without strong financial literacy, the joy of welcoming Syawal can turn into 'financial trauma' that squeezes their lives on campus after the holidays are over.

In the fast-paced digital era, the main challenge for students is not only the increase in the price of goods, but also psychological attacks through social media. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) culture or fear of being out of date is gripping the souls of young people.

There are students who are trapped in the culture of consumerism and FOMO, the effects of being influenced by aggressive marketing activities and social media algorithms that display advertisements in succession, trapping students in the scene of impulsive spending.

From the perspective of student microfinance, students are often caught in 'lifestyle inflation'. The desire to match the level of response of their peers causes them to fail to distinguish between needs and wants.

In the context of student economics, every ringgit has a very high utility value. Failure to manage cash flow means that they are forced to ration food and fall into the 'post-Raya poor' cycle.

The Importance of Continuous Financial Literacy

Touching on this aspect, the views of the Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Professor Dr. Mohamad Fazli Sabri, are very relevant to be used as a basis.

He stressed that financial literacy should not remain as a theory in the lecture hall alone, but rather needs to be expressed through systematic and continuous management practices.

This literacy includes three main elements, namely planning, monitoring, and reassessment.

Students need to have 'financial intelligence' to resist the temptation to spend beyond their means. Preparing a detailed budget and consistently saving before the festive season can act as a buffer against any unexpected expenses.

With careful planning, students can ensure that the Hari Raya celebration will not be the cause of debt or more complex financial problems in the future.

Building Positive Habits for the Future

Monitoring the ability and controlling the desire to spend is an indicator of an individual's maturity. Prudent financial management is not only about numbers on paper, but about developing self-discipline and personal integrity.
We do not want to see our intellectual generation falling into debt as early as their 20s just because of a failure to manage emotions during the festive season.

So, higher education institutions and related bodies can also play an active role in instilling this awareness. Financial awareness campaigns ahead of the festive season need to be intensified to remind students of the risks of waste.

In conclusion, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration should be celebrated with gratitude and moderation. Students who have high financial literacy will be able to balance the demands of tradition with the reality of their economic capabilities.

Let us make this Aidilfitri a starting point to build more sustainable financial management habits. Let the clothes you wear be simple, as long as your bank account and academic future remain secure.

With a more mature approach, students can not only reap the rewards of worship, but also successfully prove that they are a generation that is financially literate and wise in navigating the future.

Date of Input: 30/03/2026 | Updated: 30/03/2026 | saidatul.halim