JAKARTA - The discussion of reforming the board of directors of state-owned banks is not considered an urgent need in the midst of the government's focus on encouraging the national development agenda.
A number of observers assess that governance stability and the continuity of strategies are the key factors for state banks to optimally carry out their role in supporting the economy.
Economist Piter Abdullah believes that state-owned banks have the main mandate as managers of public funds that must be run professionally and carefully. According to him, banks are not institutions tasked with directly executing public policies such as ministries or other state institutions, but rather intermediary institutions responsible for maintaining public trust.
"As long as the main functions of banking are carried out properly, namely managing public funds prudently and maintaining asset quality, stability needs to be a priority," said Piter.
A similar view was expressed by the Executive Director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) Bhima Yudhistira. He assessed that excessive intervention in the governance of SOEs banks could potentially pose a risk to the stability of the financial sector if it was not accompanied by adequate consideration of credit quality and risk management.
"The impetus for priority programs needs to continue to be carried out within the framework of caution. Otherwise, credit risks and pressures on the stability of the financial system could increase," he said.
Bhima also stated that currently BUMN Bank has also given a fairly large role to MSMEs and small people to provide credit facilities. For example, the People's Business Credit or KUR program which has a relatively low interest rate.
A number of SOEs banks have recorded solid performance in recent years while playing their role as an accelerator of national development. PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI), for example, throughout 2025 showed a performance resilience supported by digital transformation and sustainable business strengthening, while maintaining its role as a global-capable national bank in supporting government programs.
In line with the government's priority programs and Asta Cita, BNI contributes to strategic sectors such as education, public health, food security, and strengthening rural and real sectors. This role is carried out through targeted financing, strengthening financial services, and the use of digitalization, including support for the Free Nutritious Meal Program, People's Schools, the development of cooperatives and MSMEs through KDKMP and Agen46, and the distribution of FLPP mortgages in the 3 Million House Program.
Meanwhile, PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk continues to strengthen its commitment in developing a creative MSME ecosystem throughout Indonesia through an integrated approach. This effort includes providing business capital, intensive assistance, and developing a digital financial system to increase the competitiveness of local business actors.
The contribution of state-owned banks to government programs can also be seen from the role of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI) which has the Klasterku Hidupku program to help MSMEs rise through empowerment approaches. This program is specifically targeted for business actors in the production sector which have become the backbone of the regional economy.
This shows that state-owned banks have played their role as national economic infrastructure that supports financial system stability while supporting the sustainable development agenda.
Therefore, maintaining the continuity of strategies, strong governance, and institutional stability is considered a crucial factor so that various national development programs can run effectively without neglecting the principles of prudence and risk management. This approach is important to ensure that the role of the state bank remains in line with long-term development goals and maintain public and market confidence.
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