NasDem Legislator Denies Proposing Blocking of Botok Pati's Bank Account

Member of House Commission IV from the NasDem Party, Muhammad Habibur Rochman, has denied accusations that he proposed blocking the donation account for the 27 August rally belonging to activist Supriyono, also known as Botok, of the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB). Habibur stated that his name had been misused in a circulating letter containing a proposal to the authorities to block the account intended for the logistics of the rally. He emphasised that he does not have the authority to submit such a proposal.

“So I would like to clarify that there may be a similarity of names, but I stress once again, I am 1,000 per cent absolutely certain that the person in question is not me,” Habibur said at the parliament complex on Wednesday (26/8). He claimed to have been harmed by the news and stressed that he is not the House member representing the Pati electoral district. Habibur said he was elected from East Java electoral district 8, which includes the regencies and cities of Mojokerto, Jombang, Nganjuk, and Madiun.

“So from that alone it is clear that this is slander and also a hoax, which is baseless,” he said. Habibur admitted he was surprised that he suddenly became a target while social media buzzer activity surged after he was accused of proposing the blocking of Botok’s account. According to him, the accusation not only tarnished his personal name but also the institution of his party, NasDem.

“This means I have no access to either the banking side or law enforcement officials, because I am not on the relevant commission that partners with the relevant parties,” he said. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk recently announced it would soon restore the account belonging to the coordinator of the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB), Supriyono alias Botok. This was conveyed by Bank Mandiri President Director Riduan in a joint press conference with House Commission III and Metro Jaya Police Chief Commissioner General Asep Edi Suheri on Wednesday (26/8).

According to him, the reactivation of Botok’s account was carried out in accordance with the direction and request of Commission III and the Metro Jaya Police. Riduan also conveyed an apology if the previous blocking of Botok’s account was not well received. He stressed that Bank Mandiri always upholds customer trust.

“We will follow up on what was conveyed earlier to immediately reactivate the account for which a transaction suspension had previously been announced,” Riduan said.