Indonesian state banks cannot block accounts unilaterally, says politician

State-owned banks in Indonesia, known as Himbara, are incapable of unilaterally blocking customer accounts, asserted Andre Rosiade, Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra Party. This clarification comes amid reports of an activist's account being blocked shortly before a planned protest in Jakarta on August 27.

Bank Mandiri, one of the Himbara banks, explained that the account blocking was a direct response to a request from law enforcement officials. Rosiade emphasized that all banking policies must strictly follow existing procedures and regulations. Banks are obligated to comply with requests from authorities, provided these requests align with established mechanisms.

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It is absolutely impossible for Himbara banks to make unilateral decisions. Everything follows the applicable procedures and rules, including banking practices.

"It is absolutely impossible for Himbara banks to make unilateral decisions. Everything follows the applicable procedures and rules, including banking practices," Rosiade stated on Monday. He further elaborated that several entities are authorized to request specific actions regarding customer accounts. These include the Directorate General of Taxes, the Center for Reporting and Analysis of Financial Transactions (PPATK), and law enforcement agencies.

"If there is a request, then the bank, according to the existing procedures, will carry it out. We just need to confirm what the actual story is," he added, indicating that the bank's actions would be based on formal requests and established protocols.

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If there is a request, then the bank, according to the existing procedures, will carry it out. We just need to confirm what the actual story is.