The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has announced plans to review regulations governing dormant bank accounts to ensure financial system stability and provide legal certainty for both banks and customers.

OJK’s Chief Executive of Banking Supervision, Dian Ediana Rae, emphasized that the agency will establish standardized treatment of dormant accounts, referring to international best practices. “We will set the same rights and obligations for banks in providing services to their customers,” Dian said in Jakarta on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

He underlined that OJK will coordinate with relevant ministries and institutions to avoid differing interpretations on the matter. Dian stressed that OJK is committed to crafting policies with a long-term perspective to ensure financial stability while supporting the government’s goals.

“We need to read the situation to ensure the government’s objectives are achieved and financial stability remains intact,” he said.

OJK’s move comes amid public debate over the blocking of dormant accounts by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which has attracted the attention of President Prabowo Subianto.

Head of PPATK Ivan Yustiavandana was summoned to the Presidential Palace on July 30, 2025, to report on the temporary suspension of dormant accounts, which have been vulnerable to misuse for crimes such as money laundering and online gambling.

PPATK spokesman Natsir Kongah said President Prabowo expressed his support for efforts to protect citizens’ bank accounts. “The President supports measures taken to safeguard the public’s bank accounts from criminal acts,” Natsir said in his statement on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

PPATK reported that freezing dormant accounts has effectively reduced online gambling deposits by 70 percent, from Rp5 trillion at the start of the year to Rp1 trillion in June 2025. Transaction frequency also plummeted from 33 million in April to 2.7 million in June 2025. Nevertheless, the policy has drawn criticism.

Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) economist Nailul Huda argued that freezing dormant accounts without customers’ consent violates their rights. “Account freezing or closure must have the account owner’s consent. Without it, PPATK’s actions are illegal,” he said.

Similarly, senior economist and Paramadina University Rector Didik Rachbini said PPATK’s actions overstepped its mandate. According to Law No. 8/2010 on the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering, PPATK only has the authority to analyze and recommend actions, not to block accounts directly.

PPATK assured that customers’ funds are not lost since accounts are only temporarily frozen for verification purposes. “It won’t last long. This is a preventive measure, and it has proven effective in sharply reducing potential abuses,” Ivan said.

Under the Financial Sector Development and Strengthening Law (P2SK Law), the authority to block accounts with suspicious transactions lies with OJK.

Dian reiterated that OJK will take firm but fair measures that respect customers’ rights. “We will ensure any solution provides a win-win outcome for all parties,” he said.