DPR Revisits Asset Forfeiture Bill: What Is Being Discussed?

Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) has invited experts and student representatives for a public hearing regarding the formation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill. The session took place in the Commission III meeting room at the DPR complex, Jakarta, on 13 July 2026. Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman stated that 24 elements of society have been invited to the legal commission to discuss the formation of this legislation. He noted that during the remainder of the current sitting period, the commission will summon eight resource persons from the public to provide their views on asset forfeiture. The Asset Forfeiture Bill was first proposed and drafted in 2008 by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK). Despite being championed for over 17 years, the bill has yet to be passed, with its deliberation process continuously facing delays in the DPR. Now, the DPR is revisiting the discourse. Habiburokhman dismissed rumours of parliamentary resistance to the bill’s ratification, claiming that false reports have been circulating on social media. ‘It is not true; there is a hoax in the mass media, mostly from anonymous accounts saying the DPR is rejecting the ratification of the Asset Forfeiture Bill,’ he said. He insisted that Commission III remains committed to completing the formation of this new legal product targeting corruptors’ assets, stating, ‘We are going full throttle with a turbo to establish this Asset Forfeiture Law.’ Habiburokhman considered the lengthy deliberation process to be reasonable, noting that the commission has conducted public consultations over three sitting periods. He explained that since asset forfeiture regulations have never existed in Indonesia, involving public elements is crucial. ‘For other laws that are amendments, like the Criminal Procedure Code or the revision of the National Police Law, which do not have many articles, we still held lengthy public hearings, let alone for a law we are forming from scratch,’ the Gerindra Party politician said. Commission III member Hinca Pandjaitan expressed confidence that the drafting of the Asset Forfeiture Bill could be completed soon, suggesting it would be finalised this year. He also refuted claims that parliament is rejecting the bill, confirming that discussions are still ongoing as of mid-July. Meanwhile, the DPR Legislative Body (Baleg) denied reports that the bill had been removed from the 2026 Priority National Legislation Programme (Prolegnas). Deputy Chairman Martin Manurung confirmed the bill remains listed as number six on the priority list as a DPR initiative. He stated that both the legislature and the government are focused on completing the bill optimally with public participation. The commission is also reviewing a proposal to change the bill’s nomenclature to ‘asset recovery’. Habiburokhman noted that the term asset recovery, as outlined in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, encompasses a comprehensive process including loss recovery, investigation, examination, and prosecution. He clarified that asset forfeiture only occurs at the final stage of seizing illegal assets. While no decision has been made on the nomenclature, the commission is seeking further input. Additionally, Commission III received suggestions regarding the establishment of a special agency to manage seized criminal assets, as lawmakers believe the prosecutor’s office is not suited for this management role.