Learning from the Aek Nabara Case, OJK Reminds of the Importance of Swift Response

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has reminded of the importance of a swift and transparent response from banks in handling every incident, learning from the case of customer fund embezzlement carried out by a former BNI employee in Aek Nabara, North Sumatra.

“This step is very important to maintain public trust in the banking industry,” said OJK Executive Head of Banking Supervision Dian Ediana Rae in a written response in Jakarta on Friday.

Dian also reminded that banks need to ensure the implementation of the three lines of defence operates optimally, supported by improvements in human resource quality through continuous training, as well as building a strong culture of risk management from the top management level to operations in every branch.

On the other hand, OJK also ensures the strengthening of governance, risk management functions, compliance, and internal banking audits can operate effectively and independently.

Previously, on Saturday (18/4), OJK asked PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk to immediately resolve the case experienced by customers of the Credit Union (CU) Paroki Aek Nabara.

On Wednesday (22/4), BNI completed the process of refunding the funds to those customers with a total value of Rp28,257,360,600.

Dian stated that the refund in this case is a customer right based on the civil relationship between the bank and the customer as well as OJK provisions regulating internal bank supervision and consumer protection.

Previously reported, BNI Director of Human Capital and Compliance Munadi Herlambang, in a press conference on Sunday (19/4), explained that the case was first uncovered in February 2026 through BNI’s internal supervision results.

Munadi emphasised that the incident was an action by an individual rogue who conducted transactions outside the system, outside authority, and outside official banking procedures.

“The product used in this case is not an official BNI product and is not recorded in the BNI Bank’s operational system,” he said.

Munadi also explained that to date, no other parties have been examined besides one suspect in the alleged misappropriation of funds from CU Paroki Aek Nabara.

“Up to now, no one has been examined except Andi Hakim, because this is indeed a personal action by Andi Hakim,” said Munadi.