Indonesian authorities have formally named a former BNI branch manager as a suspect in the alleged embezzlement of approximately $1.7 million in church donations from congregants in North Sumatra.
The North Sumatra Police announced on Tuesday that the ex-head of BNI’s Aek Nabara branch has been designated a suspect in the misappropriation of 28 billion rupiah in funds belonging to members of a local church. The case centers on allegations that the individual diverted customer deposits entrusted to the bank branch for personal use.
Financial regulators have intensified pressure on Bank Negara Indonesia to resolve the matter swiftly. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued a public statement urging BNI to immediately finalize its investigation into the alleged misconduct at the Aek Nabara office, emphasizing the need for accountability and restitution to affected customers.
The OJK’s directive follows growing scrutiny from legislative bodies, with members of Indonesia’s House of Representatives calling for expedited action to ensure the case is brought to a close. Lawmakers stressed the importance of protecting public trust in financial institutions, particularly when religious community funds are involved.
Investigators allege that the suspect abused his position to siphon off funds deposited by church members, which were held in accounts at the BNI branch. The total amount involved is estimated at 28 billion rupiah, equivalent to roughly $1.7 million USD at current exchange rates.
Bank Negara Indonesia has not issued a public response to the allegations or the regulatory demands as of this reporting. The case remains under active investigation by both police and financial oversight agencies.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about internal controls at regional bank branches and the vulnerability of community-based savings to misuse by trusted officials. Regulators continue to monitor the situation closely, insisting that full transparency and timely resolution are essential to maintaining confidence in Indonesia’s banking sector.
