August 26, 2026 | 03:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) considers unilateral account blocking by banks to undermine consumer rights. The statement comes in response to the freezing of a Bank Mandiri account belonging to Pati activist Supriyono.
YLKI Executive Secretary Rio Priambodo stated that a bank's authority to freeze accounts must not be exercised unilaterally without transparency and certainty for consumers. "First, the bank must explain the grounds and reasons for the blocking," he said in a written statement cited on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Second, Rio said, the freeze should not leave consumers stranded without access or certainty. According to him, if a customer's funds are inaccessible, the bank needs to provide clarity regarding the account status, resolution procedures, and the necessary steps for customers to regain access to their accounts or funds.
Third, Rio explained, there must be an effective complaint and resolution mechanism. "Consumers should not be left in a vulnerable position where their accounts are frozen and funds are unusable, yet they receive no adequate explanation and have no idea where to file a complaint," he said.
Rio also stressed that banking authority must be balanced with accountability. He noted that the principles of prudence and banking security should not serve as an excuse to disregard transparency and consumer protection standards.
United Pati Community Alliance Coordinator Supriyono, also known as Botok, had his account frozen by state lender Bank Mandiri at the request of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police. The account held roughly Rp80.9 million, consisting of personal funds and public donations intended for movement participants.
Jakarta Metropolitan Police Head of Public Relations Senior Commander Budi Hermanto stated that police submitted a request to suspend transactions rather than block the account.
"Let us clarify that the letter submitted by investigators from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police's Criminal Investigation Department concerns a transaction suspension," Budi said at his office on Monday, August 24, 2026. According to him, following a five-day investigation, the account will be restored to its owner.
Bank Mandiri, in a comment on its official Instagram account, apologized for freezing Supriyono's account. "The blocking was executed in response to a request from law enforcement officers and was carried out in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations," the bank wrote on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Read: Police: Pati Activist's Account Was Not Frozen, Only Transactions Suspended
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