BCA Dismisses Rumors of Haji Isam Takeover Following High-Profile Bayan Mining Deal

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BBCA) has officially rejected circulating social media speculation claiming that prominent businessman Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, widely known as Haji Isam, is planning to acquire an equity stake in Indonesia’s largest private lender.

"Responding to issues circulating on social media regarding plans for a corporate action toward BCA, we can confirm that such information is untrue," BCA Executive Vice President of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn said in an official written statement to Investortrust.id on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.

To protect retail and institutional investors from market noise and misleading narratives, Hera advised the public to rely strictly on verified disclosures.

"We urge customers and the public to access information from official sources, both through the company's official channels and credible news outlets," Hera emphasized.

BCA reiterated its commitment to sound governance, stressing that the bank conducts all operations strictly under the principles of prudence, integrity, and compliance with all statutory banking and capital market regulations.

Market Speculation

Social media chatter over Haji Isam setting his sights on blue-chip targets intensified in the wake of his swift takeover sequence at PT Bayan Resources Tbk (BYAN). On Sept. 11, 2026, Bayan had declared force majeure after the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) delayed approving 2026 Work and Budget Plan (RKAB) revisions for three core operating subsidiaries, paralyzing legal production and knocking the miner's equity down sharply.

On Sept. 16, amidst mounting operational and market pressure, Bayan's controlling family signed a conditional agreement to transfer a 30% equity stake (10 billion shares) to Haji Isam's PT Jhonlin Baratama. Just days later, on Sept. 21, mining authorities confirmed that the long-stalled RKAB revisions had been cleared, unlocking an additional 15 million to 20 million metric tons in quota.

While ESDM formally rejected any connection between the regulatory permit release and the corporate deal, the sensitive sequence fueled speculation in online retail trading forums that regulatory leverage could precede takeover plays across other domestic giants—a narrative BCA moved quickly to extinguish.

In equity trading on Friday, BBCA shares closed slightly higher by 0.40% at Rp 6,250 per share, moving within an intraday band of Rp 6,200 to Rp 6,250. On a year-to-date basis, the banking heavyweight has retreated by 22.60%.