DPR Special Committee Gathers Input from Bali for International Private Law Bill
Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Special Committee (Pansus) for the International Private Law Bill (RUU HPI) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is gathering input from Bali Province to draft the bill.
“This is still the initial discussion; we need as much input as possible from the public, and this is certainly not the last one. There will be further agendas to deepen the exploration in Bali Province,” said the Chairman of the Pansus for the HPI Bill of DPR RI, Martin Daniel Tumbelaka, in Denpasar, Bali, on Monday.
Martin stated that inputs from institutions in Bali are a priority for this bill, as many civil cases involving foreign nationals (WNA) occur in Bali.
He mentioned several key issues in the HPI Bill, such as contracts, lawsuits, property ownership, inheritance, international marriages, and problems in cross-national marriages.
According to him, the initial discussions indicate the need for provisions that do not disadvantage the public, one of which is the point on child custody rights when parents (between Indonesian citizens and foreigners) divorce.
“In Bali, we consider this very important because it has the most problems related to international law, which is why we prioritize Bali. The main goal of HPI is to protect our citizens, the Indonesian people,” Martin said.
The member of Commission III of DPR RI explained that currently, the regulation of international private law in Indonesia still refers to the Dutch East Indies inheritance regulations, namely the General Regulations of AB or Algemeene Bepalingen van Wetgeving voor Indonesie.
However, according to him, the existing articles are no longer in line with the developments in globalization and digitalization, so a comprehensive and integrated regulation is needed in a single law governing HPI.
He said that the HPI law is also important as a guide for judges in handling cross-border civil cases, as currently judges still use the Civil Code AB, which does not have complete legal norms to resolve complicated disputes between Indonesian citizens and foreigners.
“With the increasing number of cases involving foreign elements, a specific law is very much needed as a guide for judges,” Martin stated.
On the same day, he said, the DPR RI Pansus team has divided into groups to gather input in Surabaya and Batam, with further deepening to be conducted.
Regarding the visit of the Pansus for the HPI Bill, Bali Governor Wayan Koster expressed support, as this law is a strategic step to provide legal certainty in resolving cross-border disputes, protecting the rights of Indonesian citizens, especially women and children in mixed marriages, and protecting the rights of Indonesian migrant workers.
“In the context of Bali, issues such as mixed marriages, cross-border child custody disputes, Indonesian migrant workers, and the protection of vulnerable groups in international relations are real matters that require clear and just legal handling, including nominee land ownership practices,” said Koster.
According to him, with the eventual emergence of new legal certainty, it is hoped that its implementation will be effective at the local level, especially for Bali as a world tourism destination.