Academia
When the state freezes an activist’s bank accounts mid-protest, it isn't routine law enforcement. It is an urgent test of whether the rule of law controls the police or punishes dissent.
Members of the United Pati Community Alliance (AMPB) from Pati, Central Java, gather in front of the Senayan Legislative Complex in Central Jakarta on Aug. 26, 2026, the day before a rally to urge firmer anticorruption efforts and to demand the House of Representatives expedite passage of the asset forfeiture bill. (Antara/Angga Budhiyanto)
When state-owned Bank Mandiri froze the account of Supriyono, better known as Botok, coordinator of the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB), the move crossed beyond routine banking or policing and struck directly at the core of human rights protection.The bank has since unblocked Supriyono’s account and apologized for the action. The freeze reportedly came at the request of the police while Supriyono and fellow AMPB members were exercising their rights to free speech and peaceful assembly outside the House of Representatives in Jakarta to demand, among others, the swift deliberation and passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill.
This was not the AMPB’s first time taking to the streets. In August last year, the group mobilized against steep hikes in local property taxes and demanded the resignation of Pati Regent Sudewo. This year on Jan. 19, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Sudewo on corruption charges.
