Commission III Calls for Acceleration of Suspect Detention and Asset Recovery in BLN Fraud Case
Jakarta — Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives has called upon the Central Java Regional Police to accelerate the detention of suspects and recover assets belonging to victims of the fraudulent investment scheme operated by Bahana Lintas Nusantara Cooperative (BLN).
Commission III Chair Habiburokhman stated during a hearing at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, that the conditions for detaining the individuals currently under investigation have been met. He argued that the non-cooperative stance of the cooperative’s leadership and management, combined with their status as suspects, already satisfies the legal criteria for detention under the new Code of Criminal Procedure (KUHAP).
“The new KUHAP clearly stipulates that if a suspect is non-cooperative or provides false statements, the conditions for detention are satisfied. It is very dangerous to allow such individuals to remain free whilst under investigation,” stated Habib.
Habiburokhman additionally emphasised the importance of accelerating asset recovery efforts for victims, particularly through expediting the tracing of fraudulent investment flows. He expressed concern that prolonged investigations could result in assets being transferred or concealed.
The Special Criminal Investigation Director of Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Djoko Julianto, explained that BLN Cooperative is suspected of conducting unauthorised fund-raising activities from the public without permission from the Financial Services Authority (OJK). On 4 March 2026, Central Java Regional Police named one suspect: Dalyati (D), Head of the BLN Salatiga Branch.
The following day, police conducted raids on the BLN administrative office in Salatiga and the residences of suspect D and other management officials. The investigation remains ongoing against Nicholas Nyoto Prasetyo, who served as Chairman of BLN Cooperative, and other officials. Simultaneously, police are investigating alleged money laundering offences.
According to Djoko, the investigation currently faces obstacles due to lack of cooperation from the Cooperative Ministry regarding BLN’s activities, and the uncooperative behaviour of the cooperative’s leadership and management in providing statements and documents.
Regarding asset recovery, Djoko stated that asset tracing commenced in November 2025 in cooperation with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), whilst restitution processes have been coordinated with the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).
Despite police efforts, victims have called for accelerated legal enforcement, noting that complaints were filed as far back as mid-2025. Victim representative Erik Prihantono stated: “We hope for significant legal action, as we believe many assets remain hidden.”
Victims have also requested that police investigate allegations of money laundering in the case, as substantial assets appear to have been converted into various company holdings.
Victim counsel Aris Carmadi explained that BLN Cooperative was established in 2006 and transformed from a general cooperative into a marketing cooperative in 2023. Beginning in 2017, the cooperative created an investment programme called Sipintar, which offered 100 per cent returns over two years, with monthly profit disbursements of approximately 4.17 per cent promised to members.
However, members who had received four profit disbursements were persuaded to reinvest their funds, often by pledging personal assets as collateral. Since mid-March 2025, members began noticing irregularities as the cooperative ceased disbursing promised profits. Subsequent investigation revealed that BLN Cooperative lacked the required OJK authorisation to conduct investment activities.