CWIG Challenges BAT Bank to Prove Legal Banking License in Indonesia

Jakarta, Otoritas.co.id — Henry Hosang, Chairman of Cerdas Waspada Investasi Global (CWIG), has intensified scrutiny over the operations of PT BAT Instrumen Bank Internasional (BAT Bank), challenging the institution’s legal counsel, Rivai Zakaria Yahya, to substantiate a series of statements made publicly amid growing controversy surrounding the organization.

Hosang said that with multiple customer complaints emerging — some of which have reportedly been filed with law enforcement authorities — the public has a legitimate right to demand transparency regarding the legal basis of BAT Bank’s operations.

“Has Rivai ever personally seen an operational license allowing PT BAT Instrumen Bank Internasional to operate as a ‘bank’ in Indonesia issued by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia?” Hosang said.

According to Hosang, the question arises from a mediation meeting that was previously held between BAT Bank representatives and several platinum membership customers who claim to have suffered financial losses. The meeting reportedly took place at BAT Bank’s office after the customers were formally invited to discuss a possible resolution.

However, the mediation reportedly failed to produce an agreement after the bank requested the customers to sign a document which, according to the victims’ legal counsel, could potentially waive or limit their legal rights in future proceedings.

“In that situation the discussion became quite tense,” Hosang said.

He added that the mediation lasted more than two hours and included several remarks from BAT Bank’s legal counsel that, in his view, warrant public scrutiny.

Hosang claimed that during the recorded conversation Rivai Zakaria Yahya referred to Dato Sulaiman as someone he considered a mentor in the financial world.

“In the same recording, Rivai also stated that if Dato Sulaiman were proven to have committed wrongdoing, he himself would bring the matter to the legal process,” Hosang said.

Hosang argued that such statements should be accompanied by a cooperative attitude toward the ongoing legal process.

“If there is confidence that no violation has taken place, then openness and cooperation with the legal process should not be a problem. Let those statements be proven,” he said.

Hosang also raised concerns over the reported absence of relevant parties from two clarification sessions scheduled by investigators at the Metro Jaya Regional Police.

According to him, the public has reason to question the lack of attendance, particularly if requests were made to postpone the process until after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

“In any legal process, cooperation is essential to provide clarity regarding matters under investigation,” he said.

Hosang further referred to remarks allegedly made by Rivai during the mediation when responding to the possibility that victims might pursue legal action.

According to Hosang, Rivai acknowledged that everyone has the right to report matters to the police and defend themselves, but also made comments suggesting his familiarity with law enforcement authorities.

“Please go ahead, everyone has the right to report to the police and everyone has the right to defend themselves. But if you want to deal with the police, you should ask the police about ‘me’,” Hosang said, quoting what he claims was recorded during the mediation.

Hosang said statements of that nature could create the impression among victims that the institution might be beyond the reach of law enforcement.

“Language like that can give the impression to victims that BAT Bank may not be touched by the law. That is deeply concerning,” he said.

Hosang also stated that Rivai told the victims he would speak directly with Dato Sulaiman in order to resolve the matter and arrange the return of their funds.

“I will speak with Dato to settle this and return your money this month,” Hosang quoted Rivai as saying during the mediation.

Hosang further noted that Rivai shared his personal life philosophy during the discussion, stating that he prefers to make matters easier for others so that he will not face difficulties in the afterlife.

In addition, Hosang referred to a claim made by Rivai regarding a family connection with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto through his wife’s family in Manado.

According to Hosang, the claim raised several questions regarding its plausibility given the age differences involved, adding that the public could draw its own conclusions.

The mediation meeting was also attended by an individual who claimed extensive experience in the banking industry and described BAT Bank’s operational mechanism as involving an “undername bank” system in Turkey.

Hosang said statements of that nature instead raised further questions regarding the clarity of BAT Bank’s legal status and operational structure in Indonesia.

BAT Bank, through its legal counsel, has previously denied media allegations that the institution operates without licenses from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia.

Hosang said the controversy should ultimately be addressed through transparency.

“If clear operational licenses exist and no wrongdoing has occurred, presenting those documents openly to the public and to law enforcement authorities should not be difficult,” he said.

Hosang emphasized that his statements were made as part of efforts to encourage transparency and support law enforcement in relation to public complaints that are currently under review. (**)