Ada Pertanyaan? Hubungi Kami 
Ada Pertanyaan? Hubungi Kami M. Agus Yozami, Robert Sidauruk
With the increased presence of foreign banks in Indonesia, certain stakeholders are concerned that national interests are becoming less of a priority.
On Monday (16/5), Director of Public Relations at Bank Indonesia (BI) Difi A Johansyah explained that there should be fewer concerns because the same requirements apply to foreign banks as to the national banks. For example, BI requires that foreign banks contribute to the development of national economy.
“They must conduct transfer of knowledge for the local banking industry,” said Difi.
Difi admitted that there is a possibility that foreign banks may illegally transfer funds overseas, thus negatively affecting the national economy.
However, he asserted that there are several solutions to address and prevent such issue. For example, foreign banks in Indonesia must be formed as an Indonesian juristic person, which makes it difficult for foreign banks to transfer out the funds to overseas illegally.
Moreover, BI has also introduced capital equivalence maintained asset.
“This plan will prevent foreign banks from transferring out local funds overseas, in the event that something occurs at the bank’s main office,” Difi explained.
Meanwhile, Hikmahanto Juwana, a law professor, expressed his concerns and said that BI must take action in order to prevent illegal takeover of domestic banks by foreign investors.
Hikmahanto explained that many foreign investors buy the shares of Indonesian banks in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations. However, they will buy more shares from the capital market, which will make them controlling shareholders, which, according to Hikmahanto, is illegal.
Nevertheless, Hikmahanto concluded that there is no need for BI to be skeptical of foreign investors. BI may allow foreign investment but it must have strict regulation of the investors.
(hot/jt)
M. Agus Yozami, Robert Sidauruk
With the increased presence of foreign banks in Indonesia, certain stakeholders are concerned that national interests are becoming less of a priority.
On Monday (16/5), Director of Public Relations at Bank Indonesia (BI) Difi A Johansyah explained that there should be fewer concerns because the same requirements apply to foreign banks as to the national banks. For example, BI requires that foreign banks contribute to the development of national economy.
“They must conduct transfer of knowledge for the local banking industry,” said Difi.
Difi admitted that there is a possibility that foreign banks may illegally transfer funds overseas, thus negatively affecting the national economy.
However, he asserted that there are several solutions to address and prevent such issue. For example, foreign banks in Indonesia must be formed as an Indonesian juristic person, which makes it difficult for foreign banks to transfer out the funds to overseas illegally.
Moreover, BI has also introduced capital equivalence maintained asset.
“This plan will prevent foreign banks from transferring out local funds overseas, in the event that something occurs at the bank’s main office,” Difi explained.
Meanwhile, Hikmahanto Juwana, a law professor, expressed his concerns and said that BI must take action in order to prevent illegal takeover of domestic banks by foreign investors.
Hikmahanto explained that many foreign investors buy the shares of Indonesian banks in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations. However, they will buy more shares from the capital market, which will make them controlling shareholders, which, according to Hikmahanto, is illegal.
Nevertheless, Hikmahanto concluded that there is no need for BI to be skeptical of foreign investors. BI may allow foreign investment but it must have strict regulation of the investors.
(hot/jt)