Expert Reveals Asset Forfeiture Bill Can Be Used When Suspect Flees

Commission III of the DPR invited several experts to a meeting to discuss the Asset Forfeiture Bill. Expert Professor Harkristuti Harkriswono revealed that the Asset Forfeiture Bill cannot be used indiscriminately. “Asset Forfeiture. When is it used? And this is not something that can be done arbitrarily,” said Harkristuti during the meeting at Commission III of the DPR, DPR RI, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (20/4/2026). She stated that the Asset Forfeiture Bill can be applied to suspects or defendants who have passed away. In addition, according to her, suspects or defendants who are missing or have fled can also be subject to this provision. “The suspect or defendant, when already being processed or about to be processed, passes away. Or flees, or has a permanent illness, or their whereabouts are unknown, in absentia, well, only then is it allowed,” she said. Furthermore, she mentioned that defendants who are released by the court can still be subject to this bill. “Or the defendant is released from all legal prosecution, onslag van alle rechtsvervolging. So even if released, we can still carry out asset forfeiture. Or the criminal case cannot be tried for various reasons,” she added. Then, suspects or defendants who have already been sentenced by the court, but later assets that can still be forfeited are found. “Or the defendant has been found guilty by the court, with final legal force, but later criminal assets that have not been declared forfeited are found,” she stated. Nevertheless, Harkristuti reminded that this bill must be applied carefully in the future. The reason is that this bill uses a proof standard below that of criminal law. “Even without a court decision, so there is no need to prove that the perpetrator committed a criminal act. This is what requires us to be very careful. Why? Because the proof standard will be lower than in criminal cases,” she said.