Andre Rosiade: Himbara Banks Cannot Unilaterally Block Accounts

Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Gerindra faction, Andre Rosiade, has asserted that banks belonging to the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara) cannot make decisions unilaterally, including with regard to blocking customer accounts.

As is known, the account of Pati activist Supriyono was reported to have been blocked amid plans for a demonstration in Jakarta on 27 August. Bank Mandiri explained that the blocking was a follow-up to a request from law enforcement officials.

According to Andre, every banking policy must be carried out in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations. Banks, he said, have an obligation to fulfil requests from the authorities if they are in line with the established mechanisms.

“It is certainly impossible for a Himbara bank to take a unilateral decision. Everything follows the applicable procedures and regulations, including banking procedures,” said Andre on Monday (24/8/2026).

Andre explained that there are a number of parties that can request banks to take certain actions against customer accounts, including the Directorate General of Taxes, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), and law enforcement officials (APH).

“Now, if there is a request, of course the bank, in accordance with existing procedures, will carry it out. We will later confirm what the real story is,” he said.