TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Central Leadership (PP) of Muhammadiyah, Anwar Abbas, stated that Muhammadiyah hopes to establish a Sharia commercial bank (BUS). Although the opportunity exists, he said it would not happen in the near future.
"Certainly not in the near future, but it's not impossible, especially considering the high demand from the community for the existence of a Muhammadiyah Sharia commercial bank," he told Tempo on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Recently, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued a permit for Muhammadiyah to organize a Sharia bank. However, the bank is not public, but rather a permit for Sharia People's Financing Bank (BPRS) Matahari owned by Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka.
Anwar explained that the organization of Muhammadiyah declared that interest is a form of usury and is prohibited. Therefore, Muhammadiyah has converted its conventional Rural Banks (BPRs) into BPRS. In June 2025, BPR Matahari Artadaya owned by Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka changed its name to BPR Syariah Matahari or known as Bank Syariah Matahari (BSM).
Currently, Muhammadiyah already has about 10 BPRS. According to Anwar, the OJK sees the opportunity for this Islamic organization to have a Sharia commercial bank as very open. Anwar said this was because Muhammadiyah already had the capital for it.
Therefore, he stated that the OJK hopes that the existing BPRSs in the Muhammadiyah environment will be merged. "Because if that can be done, then certainly Muhammadiyah's desire to have a Sharia commercial bank will be easier to realize," said Anwar.
Although there are no plans in the near future to establish a BUS, Anwar stated that there are efforts in that direction. For example, by merging the existing BPRSs in the Muhammadiyah environment. "That will also be done gradually. Those that are ready to be merged, yes, should be merged. If not, not yet. The merger process must be carried out carefully so as not to cause problems," he said.
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