Commission III Backs Yusril’s Proposal to Revise Corruption Eradication Law

Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) supports a proposal by Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra to revise Law No. 20 of 2001 on the Eradication of Corruption (the Corruption Eradication Law).

“Every effort to strengthen the fight against corruption should be supported, including if there is a need to revise the Corruption Eradication Law,” Commission III Deputy Chairman Ahmad Sahroni said when contacted on Tuesday (27 October).

Sahroni cautioned, however, that any revision must be undertaken carefully. He said the process should involve all stakeholders, particularly experts, practitioners and academics.

In Sahroni’s view, proposed changes to the law’s definition of corruption, which have attracted scrutiny from several parties, must not create legal uncertainty. The NasDem Party politician also backed the inclusion of provisions on under-invoicing.

Under-invoicing is the manipulation of trade documents by declaring a transaction value—such as the price, quantity or volume of goods—below its actual value.

“I support the proposal to include under-invoicing in the Corruption Eradication Law. It needs serious consideration, because this dishonest practice has also become a serious concern for President Prabowo,” he said.

“But the rules must be clear and leave no grey areas, so they do not create problems or obstacles for the business and trade sectors,” Sahroni added.

Yusril had previously called for the Corruption Eradication Law to be revised alongside revisions to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code. He also stressed the importance of aligning the law with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

He said Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Law had not been revised since 2001, while UNCAC was ratified through Law No. 7 of 2006.

“A bill on asset forfeiture is also being discussed now. So the existing Corruption Eradication Law will inevitably need to be brought into alignment as well,” he said.