Islamic Bank Monopoly in Aceh and Disappointing Service
ECONOMICS and finance are crucial aspects of Aceh's post-flood recovery. The community, already devastated by the disaster, is now further impacted by global geopolitical conditions that have had a far-reaching impact on various aspects of life, including the economy.
Amidst this situation, banking services are expected to recover within three months of the disaster. Compared to the affected communities with limited resources, banks in Aceh should recover more quickly by mobilizing all available resources.
After three months, automated teller machines (ATMs) should be fully operational. Damaged services should be repaired immediately, especially those located in strategic locations such as markets and roadsides. This is not only necessary for the affected communities but also for road users.
In reality, many ATMs belonging to Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) have not been repaired to date, as seen in several corners of Kuala Simpang City, the capital of Aceh Tamiang Regency. There is no information on when these ATMs will be able to serve transactions.
Even without a disaster, BSI's service has often been disappointing. Many ATMs are not functioning optimally and cannot be used. If it's not due to damage and needing repair, sometimes there's simply no money available for withdrawals. Some customers have had their money or ATM cards swallowed. Withdrawals fail, but the funds are debited, and it takes several days for them to be credited back to their account.
Several merchants stated that even if the money is credited back to their account, the time it takes to resolve the issue is very detrimental. For them, having money stuck for several times, especially for more than a week, results in losses because they should be able to use it for business. Furthermore, they have to sacrifice time and endure inconvenience while the money isn't returned.
From the various conditions currently visible, it can be concluded that BSI's infrastructure is not yet reliable in disaster areas. Yet, not all of our people are bankable and capable of digital transactions. Ask merchants, even in cities like Langsa and Lhokseumawe, and they'll find that most still rely on cash transactions. Merchants in some areas have to travel up to two hours just to make a cash deposit at an ATM. How disappointing it is to arrive at an ATM that isn't functioning.
Amidst such desperate circumstances, customers' difficulties are compounded by the limited banking options in Aceh. With the monopoly of Islamic banks, including BSI, customers are forced to accept poor banking services and infrastructure.
BSI enjoys a near-monopolistic position in Aceh. The absence of alternative conventional banks leaves the public with no choice but to rely on BSI's services.
In a situation like this, service standards should be improved, not weakened.
Limited access to ATMs directly impacts the community's economic activity.
Vendors struggle to conduct transactions, workers struggle to collect their salaries, and the general public is hampered in meeting daily needs. This situation demonstrates that BSI's preparedness in dealing with emergencies is still far from ideal.
Flooding is indeed a natural disaster that is difficult to avoid, but the slow recovery of services is a managerial issue. Three months is not a short time to simply repair ATM infrastructure or provide alternative services such as mobile cash cars, additional tellers, or optimize digital services. If even these basic issues cannot be addressed quickly, then BSI's commitment to social responsibility and public service is questionable.
This situation demands serious attention from regulators. The relevant authorities must not turn a blind eye to monopolistic practices that are not balanced by adequate service quality. A comprehensive evaluation of BSI's performance in Aceh is urgently needed, including creating space for healthy competition to protect public interests.
Banking services are not just a business, but also the lifeblood of the people's economy. When access is disrupted, not only transactions but also trust is affected.
If this situation continues, it is possible that public trust in the Islamic banking system in Aceh will also erode.[]
