BNN Fears Being Weakened Through Narcotics Bill
JAKARTA - The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Suyudi Ario Seto, has expressed his concerns regarding the substance of the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill (RUU), which he believes could potentially weaken the agency’s authority.
This is because, Suyudi claims, in the latest draft of the regulation, the BNN nomenclature has been removed and is no longer mentioned in the provisions contained therein.
“One of the substances explicitly eliminates the nomenclature or mention of the Republic of Indonesia BNN in the new Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill. This certainly creates ambiguity and raises specific concerns for BNN, as it has the potential to weaken BNN RI institutionally,” Suyudi stated during a general hearing opinion meeting (RDPU) at the House of Representatives Commission III, on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
He assessed that if BNN’s institutional identity is reduced in the law, the authority of BNN investigators could become limited, even resembling the limitations faced by investigators at the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
“When BNN’s identity is reduced, it raises concerns about the loss of authority for BNN RI investigators to carry out law enforcement, such as arrests and detentions, akin to the limitations of BPOM investigators,” he said.
According to him, the ambiguity in the bill could potentially weaken the strength and authority of Polri investigators assigned to BNN in carrying out field duties.
“Even more profoundly, it could close off BNN’s access to direct coordination with public prosecutors,” Suyudi stated.
Based on these concerns, BNN has requested that the House of Representatives continue to include the agency’s nomenclature in the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill currently under discussion.
Suyudi emphasised that such inclusion is important to ensure clarity of BNN’s authority as a state institution with investigative functions, both carried out by Polri investigators assigned to BNN and by civil servant investigators (PPNS).
“We at BNN RI request and recommend to the esteemed Members of Parliament that the nomenclature or mention of the BNN RI institution in the new Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill be retained or included in the bill’s substance,” he explained.
Suyudi assured that in exercising its authority, BNN will continue to prioritise coordination and synergy with Polri in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
The Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill is one of the legislative drafts included in the 2026 Priority National Legislation Programme (Prolegnas).
The House of Representatives previously agreed on changes to the 2026 Priority Prolegnas list, which now contains 64 bills, during a plenary session on 8 December 2025.
The drafting of the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill is deemed important to align applicable legal provisions, particularly following the enactment of the new KUHAP and Criminal Code (KUHP) in Indonesia.