DPR Expert Body Emphasises that Wiretapping Bill is Formed Solely for Law Enforcement
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The House of Representatives’ Expert Body (BK DPR RI) has emphasised that the Wiretapping Bill (RUU Penyadapan) currently being drafted will only regulate wiretapping practices in the context of law enforcement, not for other functions beyond that.
Head of the DPR RI Expert Body, Bayu Dwi Anggono, stated that from the outset, they have limited the scope of the bill to avoid expansion into other sectors, including non-law enforcement interests.
“This is wiretapping in law enforcement because there is also wiretapping in other functions outside law enforcement. Of course, this will not be part of the regulation in this bill,” said Bayu during a working meeting with the DPR RI Legislation Body (Baleg) regarding progress on drafting the Wiretapping Bill, on Thursday (2/4/2026).
“We ensure the scope from the title onwards right from the start,” he stressed.
Bayu explained that the drafting of this bill is a follow-up to the provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), particularly Article 136, which opens the door for investigators to conduct wiretapping in the interest of investigations.
This is because, to date, technical regulations related to wiretapping are still scattered across various laws, such as the Corruption Eradication Commission Law, Police Law, State Intelligence Law, and Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, with differing standards and mechanisms.
“Each law has different standards and mechanisms. For example, the duration of wiretapping implementation, how long the wiretapping can be carried out. Of course, how if an extension is needed and so on. This certainly becomes important material to be regulated in the wiretapping law,” said Bayu.
On the other hand, Bayu emphasised that the drafting of this bill must also be able to balance two main interests, namely the protection of human rights, especially privacy, and the state’s needs in enforcing the law.
“Protection of privacy and freedom of communication is part of human rights. However, at the same time, the state also has an obligation to maintain security, order, and enforce the law,” he said.
Previously reported, the DPR RI Legislation Body (Baleg) added the Wiretapping Bill to the list of Priority National Legislation Programme (Prolegnas) for 2026.
The bill will be discussed as an initiative proposal from Baleg DPR.
The DPR RI Legislation Body (Baleg) stated that the discussion of the Wiretapping Bill (RUU Penyadapan) must be one of the legislative priorities in 2026.
The reason is that the bill is needed to strengthen the law enforcement process, while also protecting citizens’ privacy rights from potential abuse of authority.
Therefore, Bob assessed that the urgency of drafting this policy is directly related to public interests and the consistency of law enforcement in Indonesia.
In addition, Bob reminded that wiretapping is part of criminal law, so it requires more directed regulation that does not overlap with other regulations.