A protest by hundreds of retired Bank Mandiri Taspen customers at the Purwokerto branch in Central Java escalated on Friday afternoon. The demonstrators—predominantly senior citizens—demanded that the bank be held accountable for alleged loan fraud involving a former employee. Tensions flared when the protesters attempted to meet with the bank's management.This protest follows a mediation session previously held at the Purwokerto office of the Financial Services Authority (OJK). However, the meeting between customer representatives and the bank failed to yield an agreement.
The protesters are demanding that Bank Mandiri Taspen cancel the loans they deem problematic, citing alleged fraud committed by a former bank employee identified by the initials NHD.In their speeches, the victims urged the bank not to simply leave the matter to legal proceedings, but also to take responsibility for the losses suffered by the retirees.The situation heated up when protesters attempted to enter the bank's premises to meet with management. A joint force comprising police, military personnel, and bank security formed a barricade, leading to a scuffle involving pushing and shoving between the crowd and the officers.
Legal counsel for the victims urged management to meet with the demonstrators immediately rather than allowing tensions to escalate further.Shortly thereafter, the Head of the Bank Mandiri Taspen Purwokerto branch, accompanied by the Distribution Head for the Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta area, met with the protesters.
However, the response remained the same: a call for all parties to respect the ongoing legal process.
This statement sparked disappointment among the crowd. The demonstrators once again pressed the bank to provide certainty regarding their demand for the cancellation of the loans.Feeling they had not received the expected answers, the protesters decided to remain in the Bank Mandiri Taspen parking area to pressure the bank into clearly acknowledging its responsibility toward the victims.
By the time the protest concluded, no agreement had been reached between the two parties. The retirees vowed to continue fighting for their rights until they received a definitive resolution regarding their demand for the cancellation of the loans.
