August 24, 2026 | 02:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Civil Society Coalition stated that the freeze on the Bank Mandiri account belonging to Supriyono, also known as Botok, a protester from Pati, Central Java, lacks any legal grounding. The group also reminded the state lender of its obligation to protect its customers.
In a written statement, the coalition highlighted Financial Services Authority (OJK) Regulation No. 22/2023, which mandates transparency, fair treatment, responsible business practices, and client asset protection in financial services. "Public trust in the banking sector will be at stake and could spark mass withdrawals or capital flight. Ultimately, this could threaten banking stability," the coalition cautioned on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Furthermore, the coalition argued that a request from law enforcement authorities does not constitute a valid basis for arbitrarily freezing citizens' accounts. "Law enforcement and banks must clarify who issued the order, the case being investigated, and the connection between the funds and the alleged criminal act," the group noted.
The coalition clarified that account freezes is coercive measures requiring prior authorization from a district court chief judge, as regulated in Article 140 of Law No. 20/2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). Such requests must outline the alleged criminal offense, present clear evidence connecting the target account to the crime, and specify the intent and scope of the action.
Under emergency conditions, an account freeze may occur prior to court authorization. Nevertheless, investigators remain legally bound to secure approval from the district court chief judge within 48 hours of executing the action.
The coalition maintained that Bank Mandiri's explanation, citing law enforcement requests, fails to demonstrate that the financial institution met all legal requirements. Law enforcement agencies must also disclose the legal grounds invoked and remain accountable for their actions.
"We see grave danger when citizens' accounts are frozen while they are expressing criticism," the coalition stated.
The group argued that the timing and targets of the account freeze reinforce suspicions that banking mechanisms are being used to suppress freedom of expression. Freezing solidarity funds not only restricts an individual's access to personal assets, but also undermines collective activities protected by the constitution.
"Limiting access to funds needed for food, transportation, and logistics for demonstrators is tantamount to constraining freedom of expression through economic pressure," the coalition wrote.
The Civil Society Coalition comprises the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), the Constitutional and Administrative Law Society (CALS), Amnesty International Indonesia (AII), the Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (KIKA), the Campus Workers Union (SPK), the Social Movement Institute (SMI), Danantara Monitor, the Clean Your Bank Coalition, the Sajogyo Institute (SAINS), and the Catering Labor Union Movement (SB GEBUK).
As previously reported, Supriyono, coordinator of the United Pati Community Alliance (AMBP), traveled from Pati, Central Java, to lead a protest outside the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Jakarta on Friday, August 21, 2026. In a widely circulated video interview recorded that Friday, he displayed his Bank Mandiri Livin' mobile app showing a frozen balance of Rp80.93 million.
The account contained a mix of personal savings and public crowd-sourced donations. The pooled capital was earmarked to cover living and logistical expenses during the Jakarta demonstrations.
Read: What to Know About a Pati Activist's Frozen Bank Mandiri Account
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