en.malanginspirasi.com – Bank Mandiri has issued a formal apology after blocking the account of Supriyono (also known as Botok), coordinator of the Aliansi Masyarakat Pati Bersatu (AMPB), which held approximately Rp 80.9 million in personal funds and public donations intended for protest logistics.
The freeze occurred on Friday, August 21, as Supriyono and dozens of residents from Pati, Central Java, held a demonstration in front of the DPR building in Jakarta.
The account balance, visible in screenshots from the Livin’ by Mandiri app that circulated widely, included money earmarked for food, transport, and accommodation for participants.
Supriyono publicly stated that the blockage, combined with the simultaneous disruption or hacking of his social media accounts (including TikTok), left the group feeling “heavily oppressed” and forced them to rely on local solidarity for basic needs.
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In a statement released Sunday, Corporate Secretary Adhika Vista said: “Bank Mandiri apologizes for the inconvenience caused to the customer regarding the account blocking. The blocking was a follow-up to a request from law enforcement officers and was carried out in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations. Bank Mandiri remains committed to good corporate governance, compliance, and prudence in providing banking services.” The bank did not name the specific agency that issued the request or provide details on any underlying case.
PPATK (Indonesia’s financial intelligence unit) later clarified that it had not requested the freeze.
Legal observers and a coalition of civil society groups have pointed out that under Indonesian criminal procedure rules (including provisions in the updated KUHAP), account freezes typically require court approval and a clear link to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Critics argue the action lacked transparency on the authorizing institution, the alleged offense, and any judicial order.
The timing—coinciding with protests near the DPR—has fueled accusations that the measure was intended to hinder peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Civil society organizations demanded that Bank Mandiri immediately restore access if no valid legal basis and court order exist, explain the requesting agency and the connection of the funds to any crime, and face scrutiny from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Komnas HAM, the Ombudsman, and lawmakers.
They also raised concerns about unequal treatment, noting that accounts linked to large-scale scams or online gambling often face slower or less decisive action.
Netizen backlash and online developments
Public reaction on social media has been sharp and widespread.
Users shared images of cut-up or shredded Bank Mandiri cards and screenshots of emptied or frozen accounts.
They provided captions declaring “never again” or calling for a boycott of state-owned banks.
Many questioned why a coordinator’s operational funds for a regional protest could be frozen so quickly while victims of phishing and investment fraud frequently struggle for redress.
Comments poured in accusing the bank of selective enforcement and political pressure: “If this is about donations for a demo, why aren’t the big scam accounts treated the same way?”
Others defended the bank’s compliance stance but insisted full disclosure of the legal order was essential to maintain public trust.
Viral threads also highlighted the dual impact of the account freeze and social-media disruptions, framing them as coordinated pressure on organizers ahead of further planned actions.
As of Monday morning, the account status remains unresolved in public statements.
AMPB organizers have indicated they will continue coordinating through alternative means while pressing for clarification and restoration of the funds.
The episode has intensified broader debate over the balance between financial-system safeguards, protest rights, and the need for transparent judicial oversight when thee is a restriction on citizen accounts.
