Bambang: Asset Forfeiture Bill Must Not Become a Political Tool

Public policy expert and press figure Bambang Harymurti has said the Asset Forfeiture Bill must not become a tool for silencing political opponents. Bambang stated that the bill should not be turned into an instrument of power for those in authority.

He made the remarks during a Public Hearing Meeting (RDPU) with House of Representatives Commission III at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/8/2026). He put forward a number of recommendations in the discussion of the bill.

“The law must explicitly prevent political abuse. The authority to seize assets must not be left solely to the good intentions of officials currently in power,” Bambang said.

He said the bill must firmly prohibit the use of asset forfeiture authority to silence political opponents. The Asset Forfeiture Bill, in his view, must not become a tool to intimidate journalists.

“The draft law must explicitly prohibit the use of asset forfeiture authority to: first, silence political opponents; second, intimidate journalists or civil society; third, settle personal disputes,” Harymurti said.

He stressed that the Asset Forfeiture Bill must not punish legitimate political activity. He also cautioned that the bill must not selectively target individuals without legal criteria.

“Fourth, punish legitimate political activity. Fifth, pressure companies for political reasons or selectively target individuals without objective legal criteria,” he stated.

Bambang said that good protection is created through strong law. He highlighted the significant role of the Asset Forfeiture Bill.

“This is not paranoia; the power to seize assets is one of the state’s most far-reaching powers affecting citizens,” Bambang said.

“So the principle is that the best protection is not a promise that today’s officials will act correctly. The best protection is to build a legal structure that makes abuse difficult to carry out,” he added.