Jakarta, Tintanusantara.co.id — The controversy surrounding activities associated with PT BAT Instrumen Bank Internasional, also known as BAT Bank, has resurfaced following statements made by company staff member Ari Ardiansyah in the media denying allegations that the company operates without proper authorization. Similar statements had previously been conveyed by BAT Bank’s legal counsel, Rivai Zakaria Yahya, in various media reports.
According to CWIG, during a mediation session that was recorded and lasted approximately two hours, Henry Hosang questioned Ari Ardiansyah regarding the legal basis of BAT Bank’s operations with respect to authorization from Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Henry asked whether the company held official licenses from these institutions.
Ari responded:
“Oh, no, I did not say that. But for corporate deeds and matters related to the Business Identification Number (NIB), those exist.”
When questions regarding operational licenses from OJK and Bank Indonesia were raised repeatedly, Ari stated:
“Please do not force me to answer whether there is or isn’t such a license. I am not in the position to answer that.”
When asked directly again about the existence of licenses from OJK and Bank Indonesia, Ari once more declined to provide an answer, stating that it was not within his authority.
“There may be a regular company license, but operating by collecting funds and issuing Demand Deposit Certificates (DDC)—and even claiming that the DDC displays a Garuda hologram when illuminated with an LED light—raises a serious question: under what license does BAT Bank operate?” said Henry Hosang, Chairman of Cerdas Waspada Investasi Global (CWIG).
According to Henry, the use of the term “bank” in business activities in Indonesia cannot be done arbitrarily, as it is strictly regulated under Law No. 10 of 1998 concerning Banking.
“If the use of the word ‘bank’ could be done freely, tomorrow we could simply create something called ‘Bad Bank.’ But in reality, it does not work that way. The use of the term bank in Indonesia is very strictly regulated by law,” Henry emphasized when speaking at a café in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (March 12).
He explained that the provisions of the law stipulate that activities resembling banking operations conducted without authorization may be subject to criminal sanctions.
“Anyone can openly ask the relevant party whether the use of the name BAT ‘Bank’ has obtained authorization from the Financial Services Authority or Bank Indonesia. If no such authorization exists, then that is certainly a matter that must be clarified through legal proceedings,” he said.
Henry further stated that CWIG had received email responses from both the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia, which essentially confirmed that BAT Bank does not possess authorization to operate as a financial institution in Indonesia.
Henry stressed that the use of the word “bank”, particularly when accompanied by the offering of instruments commonly recognized in international banking practice such as Standby Letters of Credit (SBLC), Letters of Credit (LC), Overdraft facilities (OD), Bank Guarantees, and other financing facilities, could naturally create the public perception that the entity is a legitimate banking institution.
“The term ‘bank’ carries a very strong meaning within the financial system. When an entity uses the name ‘bank’ and offers instruments identical to those used in international banking practices, it is natural that the public—especially foreign nationals—may assume that the entity is a legitimate bank,” Henry said.
He also highlighted various claims allegedly associated with state institutions.
“If communications or promotional materials through BAT Bank’s official website (batbank.co.id) include claims linking recognition from the government as well as support from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of Finance, and Bank Indonesia, and even claim that the entity has been appointed to manage more than USD 10 trillion in state assets, then such claims must certainly be proven clearly before law enforcement authorities,” Henry asserted.
According to Henry, it is strongly suspected that such claims were promoted in various countries and used to convince prospective clients to join a platinum membership program requiring a minimum deposit of USD 1,000,000.
Meanwhile, BAT Bank staff member Ari Ardiansyah stated that the company’s headquarters are located in Dubai. However, on another occasion it was stated that Dato Suleiman plans to open a branch office in Dubai by the end of 2025.
“Information like this certainly needs to be objectively verified,” he said.
In addition, based on information from several platinum membership clients, both domestic and international, they were reportedly invited to Jakarta to complete deposit procedures into a bank account under the name PT BAT Instrumen Bank Internasional.
“For that reason, all of this information should ideally be explained openly before investigators,” he said.
He also responded to Ari Ardiansyah’s statement claiming that the company is not afraid of legal proceedings.
“If they are not afraid of legal proceedings, then they should face the legal process currently underway at Polda Metro Jaya,” Henry stated firmly.
According to him, since the legal process is ongoing, individuals who are aware of the company’s internal activities may certainly be questioned by investigators, including Ari Ardiansyah.
“Dato Suleiman, if you truly are not afraid of legal proceedings, then come and explain everything openly to investigators at Polda Metro Jaya. Clarifying matters before law enforcement authorities is certainly far more dignified than merely issuing statements through staff members in the media,” Henry concluded.(*/Red)
