Commission III Emphasises Time Limits in Discussions on the Asset Forfeiture Bill
Members of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Safaruddin, have emphasised the need for regulations on time limits (tempus delicti) in the Draft Law on Asset Forfeiture Related to Criminal Acts, or the Asset Forfeiture Bill. This aims to prevent arbitrary actions by law enforcement officials in seizing citizens’ assets that are not connected to criminal acts.
Safaruddin asserted that the drafting of this regulation must maintain a balance between the authority of officials and the protection of public rights. He assessed that assets acquired outside the period of the criminal act should not be included as objects of seizure.
“There must be clear time limits. If the criminal act occurred in a certain year, then assets outside that period cannot be seized outright because they have no connection to the crime,” said Safaruddin when receiving input from students in the Commission III Meeting Room, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
Safaruddin reminded law enforcement officials not to carry out excessive seizures without strong grounds. According to him, provisions related to time limits must be firmly enshrined in the bill’s articles to avoid multiple interpretations in practice.
In addition to technical seizure issues, Safaruddin also highlighted the fate of assets after they are forfeited by the state. He emphasised that forfeited assets must be managed transparently for the public interest.
“Forfeited assets must be utilised for the welfare of the people. They must not create new problems or be misused by certain parties,” he stressed.
In response to public concerns regarding the legislative process, Safaruddin assured that Commission III would not rush to approve the bill’s draft.
He guaranteed that parliament would continue to open the widest possible space for input from various elements of society, including academics and students. He invited the public to continue monitoring the substance of the Asset Forfeiture Bill so that the resulting legal product can truly be comprehensive and just for all parties.