TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Bank Mandiri account belonging to Supriyono, a community organizer from Pati Regency in Central Java, was frozen as he accompanied residents from the area to a protest in Jakarta, drawing criticism from civil society groups over the legal basis for the move.
Supriyono coordinates the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB), a community group representing residents in Pati. The account contained about Rp80.9 million ($4,800) in personal funds and public donations intended to cover food, transportation and accommodation for residents taking part in the protest.
The account was frozen on Friday, August 21, as Supriyono accompanied the group during a demonstration outside the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Jakarta.
Civil society groups said the freeze could violate the law, restrict freedom of expression and undermine public confidence in the security of funds held in Indonesian banks.
Why Was the Account Frozen?
Bank Mandiri apologized for the freeze in a comment on its official Instagram account on Sunday. The bank said the action followed a request from law enforcement authorities and was carried out in accordance with applicable procedures.
The bank did not identify which law enforcement agency had requested the freeze.
That has prompted the civil society coalition to demand more details, including who ordered the freeze, what case was being investigated and how the money in Supriyono’s account was allegedly connected to a criminal offense.
“An instruction from law enforcement is not enough to justify arbitrarily freezing a citizen’s bank account,” said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia and a member of the coalition.
What Does the Law Say?
Usman cited Article 140 of Indonesia’s 2025 Criminal Procedure Code, which classifies an account freeze as a coercive measure requiring authorization from the head of a district court.
A request to freeze an account must include details of the alleged criminal offense, evidence linking the account or other property to that offense, and the purpose of the measure, he said.
In urgent circumstances, investigators can freeze an account before obtaining court authorization. They must then seek approval from the district court within 48 hours, Usman said.
He argued that Mandiri’s explanation that the freeze followed a “request from law enforcement authorities” did not, on its own, establish that the action complied with those requirements.
Even when authorities rely on powers granted under specific laws, he said, the legal basis, reasons and procedures must still be clearly established.
The coalition said the freeze could be unlawful if there was no clear criminal case, no established connection between the account and an alleged offense, or no required court authorization.
Why Are Civil Society Groups Concerned?
The groups argue that the case goes beyond access to a single bank account because the money was also being used to support people taking part in a protest.
They warned that freezing funds used for food, transportation and accommodation could make it harder for people to organize and exercise their right to protest.
“Restricting access to money for food, transportation and other basic needs of protesters amounts to using economic pressure to cripple freedom of expression,” Usman said.
He said Indonesia’s Constitution protects freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to own and protect property.
The coalition also stressed that banks have a responsibility to protect their customers. Before restricting access to an account, Usman said, a bank should verify that the request comes from an authorized official, has a clear legal basis and meets all applicable requirements.
“A bank’s compliance means following the law, not automatically complying with every request without checking whether it is lawful,” he said.
What Are the Groups Demanding?
The coalition called on Bank Mandiri to restore Supriyono’s access to his account and the funds in it if there is no valid legal basis or court authorization for the freeze.
It also wants Mandiri and the relevant authorities to disclose which institution requested the action, what case prompted it, how the account was allegedly linked to a criminal offense and whether an official order and court authorization exist.
The coalition urged the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to investigate Bank Mandiri and take action if it finds violations of customer protection or banking governance rules.
It also called on the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and the Ombudsman to examine possible abuse of authority and restrictions on property and freedom-of-expression rights.
The groups further urged the House of Representatives to demand accountability from Bank Mandiri, OJK and the authorities involved.
“(We must) ensure the banking system is not used to intimidate the public,” Usman said.
The coalition comprises the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Constitutional and Administrative Law Society (CALS), Amnesty International Indonesia, Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (KIKA), Campus Workers Union (SPK), Social Movement Institute (SMI), Danantara Monitor, Koalisi BersihkanBankmu, Sajogyo Institute and the Catering Workers Movement Union.
