AcuityHub’s latest public perception study on PPATK’s Account Blocking Policy reveals a clear
message: while awareness of the policy is nearly universal, public understanding and acceptance
remain low. The findings underline a pressing need for stronger communication, improved
transparency, and clearer messaging on the policy’s purpose. With a total sample of 477
respondents, the study was conducted from August 28th to September 1st, 2025 through a
quantitative online survey using purposive sampling.

An overwhelming 98% of respondents are aware of the account blocking policy, with 78%
correctly understanding that it restricts both incoming and outgoing transactions. However,
despite this awareness, only 13% agree with the policy—while 87% express disagreement.
Even among those with accurate understanding, disagreement remains high at 90%, suggesting
that comprehension alone doesn’t lead to support.

Public Experience and Reactions
About 30% of respondents have directly experienced account blocking, and another 46% have
seen it affect friends or family. The impact is most visible in Jakarta, Greater Jakarta
(Bodetabek), and Central Java, where exposure levels are highest.
Direct respondents show high concern and take corrective action, with 78% reactivating their
accounts. Indirect respondents also tend to reactivate (48%) and remain cautious (45%),
reflecting precautionary behavior and mirroring of those directly affected. Even among those with
no experience, 65% also feel cautious. This pattern suggests that the policy’s perceived impact
has diffused socially, leading to broader awareness and preventive attitudes even among
unaffected groups.

Public sentiment, however, skews negative. Over 80% of respondents report feeling angry or
upset upon hearing about the policy, and 52% perceive it as a form of excessive monitoring rather
than a measure to protect the financial system. Meanwhile, 56–72% believe the government’s
implementation is unfair to ordinary citizens.
Transparency and Future Outlook
Only 14% of respondents agree that information about account blocking by PPATK is sufficiently
clear and transparent, and 16% believe this policy should be continued in its current form. These
results suggest that despite awareness of the policy, public confidence in its transparency and
future continuation remains fragile, highlighting the need for stronger communication and
perceived accountability.

Behavioral Shifts Despite Disagreement
Interestingly, the policy has influenced behavioral changes, even among those who disagree.
Only 12% intend to leave blocked accounts untouched, while the majority reports that they will
take actions like increase account activity to avoid blocking (57%), close inactive accounts (46%),
and/or withdraw all funds (2%).
This pattern indicates compliance driven by necessity, rather than trust or endorsement—a
form of pragmatic adaptation to policy risk.

Key Recommendations
To bridge this gap, AcuityHub suggests several steps:

• Clarify public communication: Simplify messaging and emphasize clarity in purpose.
• Highlight public benefits: Shift focus from administrative control to protection and efficiency.
• Target key regions: Prioritize outreach in Jakarta, Greater Jakarta, and Central Java.
• Reframe policy narrative: Communicate that the policy is designed to strengthen the financial system, not restrict it.
• Encourage positive behavior: Build on the trend of increased account activity as a constructive outcome.

Conclusion
The study underscores a core insight: awareness is not the same as acceptance. While the
public understands the policy, emotional resistance and trust deficits persist. Strengthening
communication, fairness, and perceived transparency will be essential to align public sentiment
with policy objectives.