After reaping debates and conversations in the public sphere and social media, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) finally unblocked 28 million dormant accounts on Thursday (31/7/2025). This policy was considered less careful and had inconvenienced entrepreneurs and customers.
Budimanto, 48, was worried. This is because one of the bank accounts belonging to the grocery store entrepreneur in Ciputat, South Tangerang, was suddenly frozen. In fact, in the account of one of the state-owned banks there was money, which he said was around Rp20 million-Rp30 million.
He said that the account was not his main account, but rather for storing emergency bailout funds to buy raw materials. He admitted that the account was relatively net used for transactions. However, he did not know that his account was suddenly blocked without bank notification.
"When I wanted to withdraw money to buy goods, I couldn't even. There was still money anyway," Budimanto said when contacted on Sunday (3/8/2025).
Later, he found out that the blocking was carried out by PPATK to prevent the flow of funds for various crimes. Fortunately, on Sunday morning his account was accessible again.
"Yes, look at it first, don't block it. What kind of criminals are we?" he said.
One of the people who felt the impact of account blocking by PPATK was Dona, 40. This resident of Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, found out that her account was blocked from a friend who wanted to send money.
The money is contribution money for school events. Dona happened to serve as one of the organizers.
"I was shocked when my friend said the account was not found, even though I had entered the account number correctly," he said.
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Dona panicked and checked directly through the mobile banking application, but there was a notification "your account cannot be used".
He felt disappointed with the blocking of the account that had no prior notice to the customer. Even though the balance in the account is still around Rp4 million which is money saved for school events.
He admitted that the blocked account was a reserve account, not his personal savings account. Still, the blocking made him uneasy.
"I'm afraid that the balance that is still stored will be lost. Even though I rarely use the account, I still have money saved there," he said.
He requested that PPATK not block accounts again. This is because many people have two accounts, both for the main account and for savings.
"What is called a savings account must be rarely used, but still used for sudden needs," he said.
Take care of people's psychology
PPATK Spokesperson Natsir Kongah said that the opening of accounts that they had blocked was based on customer complaints based on objection forms.
PPATK, continued Natsir, then re-verifies the blocked accounts one by one. If they find no connection between the account and criminal offenses such as online gambling, PPATK instructs the bank to open the blocked account.
However, the normative explanation invited criticism from various circles, including banking personnel. BCA Bank Chief Economist David Sumual said that before PPATK makes a policy, an in-depth study of the blocking mechanism should be carried out so as not to cause chaos.
"PPATK must be more careful in taking an action, especially in blocking accounts, so as not to disturb the psychological community," he told SUAR in Jakarta (3/8).
David said that the psychology of the community must be maintained, lest they be disappointed with banks. The way to maintain the psychology is by conducting socialization before making policies.
For future steps, PPATK must conduct socialization before making a policy or decision. Socialization can be done in various ways, either through social media or online and print media.
Do not repeat the account opening and closing incident. If you are still going to block an account, then make sure whose account will be blocked, and be more specific so that the public is not worried.
Economic observer and Deputy Chairperson of the LPS Board of Commissioners 2023-2025, Lana Soelistianingsih, assessed that the problem of blocking accounts should not be done by PPATK. It should be done by the bank directly to the customer.
Even if PPATK wants to block, it must be socialized to the public, because this policy is a sensitive one and can draw criticism.
Most owners of inactive accounts for 3 months are housewives. They deliberately create separate accounts for business, kitchen, or social gathering needs.
Lana explained, the institution that has the right to open and close accounts is indeed banking. PPATK's task can monitor banks without having to get involved. Suppose PPATK finds many dormant accounts, then PPATK simply reprimands banks.
Refer to laws and regulations
Indeed, the blocking of dormant accounts is written in the laws and regulations. Quoting Law Number 10 of 1998 concerning Amendments to Law 7/1992 concerning Banking, customer accounts can be categorized as dormant if there is no transaction activity within a certain period of time determined by each bank. Usually for 6 months or 12 consecutive months.
Provisions regarding dormant accounts are generally regulated in the bank's internal policies and refer to prudential principles, as well as consumer protection as mandated in Law Number 8 Year 1999 on Consumer Protection and OJK Regulation Number 1 Year 2013 on Consumer Protection in the Financial Services Sector.
Blocking by PPATK of dormant accounts can only be done as long as there is a clear legal basis. Namely, in the form of suspicion of account involvement in criminal acts as regulated in laws and regulations, not merely because of dormant status.
