The state-owned bank BNI has returned Rp28,257,360,600 (about US$1.7 million) in funds embezzled from members of a Catholic credit union in North Sumatra, bringing closure to a case that has shaken the Church in Indonesia.
The funds belonged to poor parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Aek Nabara in the Archdiocese of Medan, who were clients of Credit Union Aek Nabara.
The money was siphoned off by Andi Hakim Febriansyah, then head of the BNI Aek Nabara sub-branch, who later resigned and fled. Authorities have arrested him and his wife after they were listed as fugitives. The couple had reportedly fled to Australia.
Investigators said the funds were used to finance a luxurious lifestyle and other personal interests.
The case drew widespread public attention, with parishioners staging peaceful protests and appealing for the return of the remaining funds, estimated at more than Rp21 billion.
Sr. Natalia Situmorang KYC, who served as spokesperson for the credit union members, emerged as a central figure in efforts to recover the funds, pressing the case in Jakarta and engaging government officials and public figures.
“We ask for support from media colleagues so that our struggle to recover the remaining funds still held at BNI can be resolved promptly,” she said in an earlier appeal.
Her efforts led to a meeting with BNI President Director Putrama Wahju Setyawan, facilitated by politician Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
On April 22, BNI announced that it had completed the return of the remaining funds to Credit Union Aek Nabara clients through bank transfers.
In a press conference, the bank issued a public apology.
“BNI also extends its sincere apologies to Catholics throughout Indonesia, particularly the parishioners of Aek Nabara, as well as to the broader public for the inconvenience caused,” said Munadi Herlambang, the bank’s director of human capital and compliance.
“Today, we bring good news to the public. The process of returning funds to CU Aek Nabara Parish clients has been fully completed,” he added.
BNI said it had returned the full amount, including an earlier reimbursement of Rp7 billion and a final payment of Rp21,257,360,600.
Sr. Natalia confirmed that the funds had been fully restored and welcomed the resolution.
“Today, with great joy, we have received the resolution of this matter—namely, the full payment from Bank Negara Indonesia, in accordance with what we stated in our letter of demand,” she said.
BNI said it hopes the restitution will help restore public trust.
“With the completion of this restitution, we hope public trust will be preserved. At the same time, we take this incident as a shared lesson for all parties. BNI remains committed to providing the best services for the people of Indonesia,” Munadi said.
