Mandiri Bank Ready to Acquire BTN

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Bank Mandiri Tbk is certain to acquire PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) Tbk in the near future. The largest state bank stated its readiness to take over the bank known for the house loan programme.

Director of Bank Mandiri, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said he was still waiting for the formal instruction from the Ministry of BUMN concerning the acquisition plan. "Whatever it is ordered by the share holder, we do it. We are still waiting for now," he said yesterday.

Previously, the Director of BTN, Maryono, justified that the public outstanding share holder meeting will be held on the upcoming May 21. One of the agendas is to discuss the share owners on the request of the Ministry of BUMN. "We have received the agenda request letter," said the ex official of Bank Mandiri.  Even so, he will not comment about the acquisition.

The discourse privatization of BTN was opened in 2005. That time, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) was the buyer. But the plan failed. Then, Finance Commission asked the government to stop the acquisition plan of BTN by BNI or other state banks. The reason is that the government is considered to have no explanation about the merger plan or vision.

ANANDA PUTRI | MAYA NAWANGWULAN