DPR assures Asset Forfeiture Bill under discussion in response to public aspirations

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Sari Yuliati has confirmed that deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill is still underway, responding to aspirations raised by the Pati People’s Communication Forum from Central Java.

“To accelerate the enactment of the Asset Forfeiture Bill, Commission III is currently listening to input from numerous public hearings (RDPU) to ensure meaningful participation,” she said in Jakarta on Monday.

She explained that drafting the bill requires caution because it involves a number of complex matters. The DPR is committed to producing legislation that is fair for all parties.

For this reason, Sari said, the deliberation stage is taking time. She stressed that parliament is not slowing down the bill’s enactment.

“It is not being delayed, no; rather it is more about exercising caution so that when this law is passed, the public will not end up regretting it,” she said.

During the audience held at the DPR building, the Pati People’s Communication Forum conveyed a number of aspirations, including accelerating the enactment of the Asset Forfeiture Bill, improving public welfare, developing strategic economic zones, and restoring public security and order.

The Asset Forfeiture Bill is included in the national legislation programme (prolegnas). The draft legislation is currently being deliberated by Commission III of the DPR.

Previously, Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives Habiburokhman said the Asset Forfeiture Bill is targeted for completion by December 2026.

“We are targeting the Asset Forfeiture Bill to be passed before December 2026, or at the latest within two sitting periods,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (18/8).

According to Habiburokhman, passing the Asset Forfeiture Bill requires more time than other laws, including the revision of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the National Police Law, because its concept and design are entirely new in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said President Prabowo Subianto has issued a clear directive that the enactment of the Asset Forfeiture Bill must be expedited.

“For the President, the instruction to the Minister of Law is clear: it must be expedited. But because this is a DPR initiative proposal, we are waiting,” Supratman said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8).

The government is monitoring the progress of deliberations on the Asset Forfeiture Bill currently taking place in Commission III of the DPR. Regarding the government’s views on the bill’s text, Supratman did not wish to comment prematurely as he is still waiting for the deliberations in the DPR.

“I do not want to comment on the substance yet because the government will certainly have its own position, as the President’s direction to us is clear. But we are waiting first for the DPR initiative proposal, then the government will discuss it together, including through the Ministry of Law,” he said.