Danantara Ensures Not Using Public Funds in Banking

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency, also known as BPI Danantara, stated that it will not use public funds stored in state-owned banks as capital. The invitation to withdraw funds from state-owned banks or BUMN on social media is considered a black campaign that could actually trigger a crisis.

When asked about the issue of fund withdrawals from state-owned banks, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BPI Danantara, Dony Oskaria, stated that Danantara's capital injection would not involve public funds from state-owned banks. Therefore, the public does not need to worry about their money placed in state-owned banks, as Danantara will be subject to multiple layers of supervision.

"Earlier, we already got an explanation about what Danantara is like. The supervision is layered and it is not public money that is used for Danantara's capital. Well, this must be straightened out," he said to the media crew after attending the launch of BPI Danantara, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (24/2/2025).

Previously, the social media platform X was abuzz with "calls" from a handful of parties to withdraw their funds from state-owned banks. These calls emerged as the public grew concerned that Danantara might face a fate similar to 1MDB in Malaysia, which was involved in a corruption case.

Dony emphasized that the public needs to understand that the current condition of the State-Owned Bank Association (Himbara) is still considered good with solid performance. In fact, state-owned banks are recorded as the best in the Southeast Asia region.

"In fact, our banks are in very good condition, very solid. In fact, one of the best banks in ASEAN. This must also be conveyed to the public," he said.

In fact, our banks are in very good condition, very solid. In fact, one of the best banks in ASEAN. This must also be conveyed to the public.

Dony added that all state-owned companies will later enter Danantara. The consolidation of all non-financial assets of state-owned companies under Danantara is targeted to be completed before the General Meeting of Shareholders (GMS) at the end of March 2025.

Referring to the disclosure of information to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), Himbara announced the postponement of the 2024 Annual GMS schedule. The information started from PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BRI on February 13, 2025.

BRI announced the postponement of the Annual GMS, from March 11, 2025 to March 24, 2025. The announcement was followed by PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI, and PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk or BTN.

Bank Mandiri postponed the schedule of the Annual GMS to March 25, 2025. On the other hand, BNI, which originally scheduled the Annual GMS on March 13, 2025 and BTN on March 14, 2025, also postponed it to March 26, 2025.

Previously, Bank Mandiri President Director Darmawan Junaidi explained that the postponement of the Annual GMS schedule from the previously scheduled one was related to the ratification of the Draft Law (RUU) on the Third Amendment to Law Number 19 of 2003 concerning BUMN. This was related to the adjustment of the company's articles of association.

"Because the agenda must be adjusted to the ratification of the BUMN Law. So, it can't be on the original planned date. There must be time, there must be a slight change in the articles of association," he said when met in Jakarta, Tuesday (2/18/2025).

Contacted separately, Segara Research Institute Executive Director Piter Abdullah said that the invitation to withdraw funds from Himbara banks that emerged on social media must be corrected. In addition to being misleading, the invitation can be said to be a form of black campaign.

"The existence of Danantara has nothing to do with the performance of Himbara banks. In fact, the invitation to withdraw funds in Himbara can cause turmoil in the financial system as a whole," he said when contacted from Jakarta.

Not only does it affect Himbara, Piter added, small banks will also be negatively impacted by the movement to withdraw funds. In turn, the movement can endanger the economy as a whole, especially for the lower classes.

I personally urge the public not to believe the invitation to withdraw funds. Himbara banks have good performance and the existence of Danantara is to further maximize the performance of Himbara banks.

Piter assessed that currently Himbara banks have very good fundamental conditions. Therefore, the public does not need to worry about funds stored in banks, because they will also be guaranteed by the Deposit Insurance Agency (LPS).

"I personally urge the public not to believe the invitation to withdraw funds. Himbara banks have good performance and the existence of Danantara is to further maximize the performance of Himbara banks," he said.

On the other hand, Himbara Chairman Sunarso said that state-owned banks continue to show solid fundamental performance amidst the dynamics of global economic challenges. In addition, Himbara is committed to maintaining the stability of banking services and supporting sustainable national economic growth with good governance.

Based on the consolidated financial report as of 2024, Himbara recorded a net profit of Rp140.92 trillion. This consists of BRI of Rp60.64 trillion, Bank Mandiri of Rp55.78 trillion, BNI of Rp21.5 trillion, and BTN of Rp3 trillion.

From the intermediation side, the total credit distributed by Himbara in the same period was Rp 4,159.03 trillion. Meanwhile, the collection of Third Party Funds (DPK) by Himbara reached Rp 3,704.12 trillion.

"Himbara's performance fundamentals are very solid. In addition, we ensure that all banking operational services run smoothly and safely, so that customers continue to get optimal access to financial products and services," said Sunarso in a written statement, Saturday (22/2/2025).

According to Sunarso, this achievement shows the strength of Himbara's business fundamentals in facing the challenges of a dynamic industry. Synergy and good governance are also the main capital for Himbara in maintaining the stability of the banking industry, thus having a positive impact on the national economy.

In addition, Himbara also participates in the deposit guarantee program by LPS and is under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia (BI). With a good governance system, customer funds are guaranteed to be safe according to applicable regulations.