President Jokowi Inaugurates Indonesian Sharia Bank: This Bank Is Not Only For Muslims

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially authorized the establishment of PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk. at the Merdeka Palace today, Monday, February 1.

"By saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk launched," he said.

In his remarks, the president said that this effort was a real step for the government to wake up the 'sleeping giant' of the sharia economy in Indonesia.

"The Islamic economy is proven to be able to survive in times of crisis like today, where Islamic banking is still growing when conventional banking is under pressure," he said.

The President also reminded that BSI must be a financial service institution open to anyone and not limited to certain groups.

"Bank Syariah Indonesia must also be able to reach all people. So don't think that this is only for Muslims, "he said.

On the same occasion, President Director of BSI Hery Gunardi said that his party would focus on working on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector as the backbone of the company's business activities.

"We are committed to serving all levels of society while still upholding the sharia system," he said.

"Bank Syariah Indonesia is a representation of the development of sharia economy in Indonesia and is expected to be able to develop both at home and abroad," added Hery.

To note, Bank Syariah Indonesia is a financial institution resulting from the merger of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Syariah Tb (BRIS), PT Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM), and PT Bank Negara Indonesia Syariah (BNI Syariah).

Meanwhile, in terms of share ownership, Bank Mandiri controlled 51.2 percent. Followed by BNI at 25 percent, and BRI with 17.4 percent. Meanwhile, public investors control 4.4 percent and DPLK BRI-Sharia shares as much as 2 percent.