Beware of Sontoloyo Debtors Prevent the Credit “Bandits” Wanderin

By Eko B. Supriyanto Chief Editor of Infobank

Jakarta – SONTOLOYO debtors start wandering. The debtors who have been using credit restructuring are beginning to show their tangible form. Even worse – although the company is still operating – the credit “bandits” are still non-performed. They don’t want to pay the debt. And, accusing the bank has harmed the state. Horrified.

Who is exactly the credit “bandit” if there are debtors who don’t want to pay their credit – even though the company is still operating. Insist, maintaining the collateral, and ask for restructuring by reasons of COVID-19. Whereas, the restructuring is the subjectivity of the bank. Not the right of the debtor. Now, more debtors are playing the “Wiro Sableng” moves by reporting that banks have harmed the state because they do not pay loans that are categorized as non-performing.

This sontoloyo debtors attack was immediate, direct and severe. How come they accuse the state-owned bank has harmed the state. The accomplices of this sontoloyo debtor are usually anti-racism non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Demonstrations to the Round Building, the Attorney General’s Office, and not infrequently in front of the Indonesian House of Representatives Building. Covered by media to go viral. They urged the authorities to immediately check the bank, because it is considered to have harmed the state. Where’s the common sense?

Again – non-performing loans is not a banking crime. Non-performing loans that is given under the rules and procedures according to credit standards is not a loss to the state. Non-performing loans is a business risk. So, it is a bit strange if debtors who are in arrears accuse the bank of harming the state.

Non-performing loans – where the bank suffers a loss, but is often blamed. Banks are often accused of harming the state. He said it was the bank that had to be checked. It’s strange and weird. It should be the debtor who is in arrears who should be pursued. Debtor reports like this should be ignored. Debtors like this must be impoverished to repay loans that have been enjoyed. Not allowed to wander, which makes banks scratch their heads.

There are many cases of this model. Bankers are often troubled with affairs that are, frankly, obvious. Bad debtors do not want to pay debts. Stubborn. Well, when the bank wants to solve its non-performing loans, such as selling collateral, problems begin to arise. These sontoloyo debtors fought back by accusing the bank of harming the state.

Now, in the last three months, two state-owned banks have been urged by NGOs to be investigated immediately regarding non-performing loans. Before the Bank Mandiri case with PT. Titan Infra Energy, there was BNI who was accused of funding coal loans to companies in South Sumatra. BNI and Bank Mandiri were urged to be examined by the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia because they were deemed to have harmed the state due to non-performing loans.

According to Infobank Institute records, in 2018 Titan Infra Energy obtained a syndicated loan facility from PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (BMRI), CIMB Niaga, and Credit Suisse AG. The credit value is US$450 million, which is equivalent to Rp6.5 trillion (exchange rate of Rp14,500 per US dollar).

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the loans was “coughing” and the instalments were “Monday Thursday”, so a credit restructuring was carried out. However, since February 2020 credit has started to fail. There are no more instalments that go into the safes of the three banks. The customer should deposit 20% to the bank, and 80% for operational funds. The promise was not kept, and eventually, bad credit (non-performing loans) and the bank had to rescue credit.

That’s where the case begins because the bank is trying to execute the collateral by selling it to investors. The bank doesn’t want to restructure its credit again – because since February 2022 there have been no instalments, even though the company is still operating, and coal prices are high. The standard question is, the company is still operating, and the price of coal is high, how come the instalments are stalled.

Beyond that case. It’s not wrong – continue to be wary of sontoloyo debtors, who may become more and more, and wander towards the end of the credit restructuring program in March 2023.

Beware. The banking sector should include debtors who like to arrears in the banking black list so that the black colour becomes darker. Banks should no longer be damaged by credit “cowboys” who use “drunk tricks” by involving pressure groups, media, NGOs, politicians, and the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office, who is supposed to be the defender of the state.

Agree. Law must be enforced. Let’s ask the swaying grass, who are the real credit “bandits”? Indeed, banks often become victims because they are considered a “wet” place and an inch from the word detrimental to the state. Banks should not be considered ” semar piggy bank ” for many parties. Are there (Opo tumon) bad debtors are fiercer than those who give credit. Ambyar!(*)