Bank Mandiri IT Glitch, Rp10 Billion Yet to be Returned

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The mass IT system glitch experienced by state-owned Bank Mandiri on July 20^th saw many of its customers’ balance inquiry suddenly reduced but there were also 2,600 of them who experienced sudden increase but decided to immediately cash it.

The bank’s business and networking director Hery Gunadi explained that there are 260 customers that have yet returned the “glitch money” to the bank and accumulates to a total of Rp10 billion. However, Bank Mandiri asserts that the customers yet to return the money they do not own will not be handed sanctions.

“There are those who cashed out but we will continue to use a persuasive approach. We will talk to them until they would understand,” said Hery at the Ombudsman headquarters on Monday.

Meanwhile, Bank Mandiri Corporate Secretary Rohan Hafas said the Rp10 billion yet to be returned is relatively considered as “pocket money” compared to the total accumulation of customers’ savings of Rp1,000 trillion.

“I apologize in advance but Rp10 billion might sound significant but compared to the number of customers with an accumulation of Rp1,000 trillion it is small,” said Rohan Hafas.

On Saturday, July 20, thousands of Bank Mandiri customers report changes in the amount of their savings balance. Some customers said their balances declined while others reported a sudden increase.

Bank Mandiri immediately held a press conference. Corporate Secretary Rohan Hafas had said that from Saturday morning to noon, a system error resulted in a drastic change of balances in the accounts of 10 percent of the bank's customers, or around 1.5 million accounts.

That afternoon, Bank Mandiri announced their system had returned to normal and the customers' balances had been corrected. Bank Mandiri also took anticipative measures by temporarily suspending accounts that try to transfer the additional funds.

HENDARTYO HANGGI | EKO WAHYUDI | ANTARA