Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) has restored access to previously blocked inactive or dormant accounts. The earlier suspension of transactions on these accounts had sparked public debate.
PPATK Public Relations Substantive Coordinator M. Natsir Kongah confirmed the reactivation. "It has been reopened," he said when contacted by Tempo on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
However, Natsir did not provide further details about the decision or its rationale. According to a prior PPATK press release, the temporary suspension was based on findings that dormant accounts were being exploited for criminal activity.
These inactive accounts are often used to store illicit funds linked to account trading, hacking, nominee accounts, drug transactions, corruption, and other crimes. In February 2025, PPATK collected related data from the banking sector. Natsir said the suspension began on May 15, 2025.
The account freezes drew criticism from the public, especially individuals who found their personal accounts suddenly inaccessible. One of them was Denny, 33, a private employee in Yogyakarta.
"I only realized my account had been blocked when I couldn't withdraw the remaining balance," he told Tempo on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Denny said his account was blocked in mid-June 2025. Since then, he had contacted his bank's customer service several times to request reactivation. For about a month, he was told to keep waiting.
"Finally, on July 28, I was informed that reactivation won't be possible until August 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM WIB," he said.
Economist Nailul Huda from Celios also criticized the policy, calling it a violation of consumer rights. "Freezing or closing accounts should require the consent of the owner. Without it, PPATK is acting outside the law," he stated in a press release on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
According to Huda, the Law on the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector (UU P2SK) does give the Financial Services Authority (OJK) the authority to block accounts suspected of suspicious transactions.
"But this is not under PPATK's jurisdiction. PPATK needs to understand the rights of citizens," he added.
– Riri Rahayu contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2034700/ppatk-reopens-blocked-dormant-accounts-after-backlas