Government affirms commitment to complete Asset Forfeiture Bill in 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has affirmed its commitment to accelerate the completion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset) together with the House of Representatives (DPR) in 2026.

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the government is ready to discuss the bill as soon as the DPR completes the drafting process as an initiative proposal.

“If asked whether the government is ready, yes, it is ready. The government has been ready for some time, and the President has already issued directives to the relevant ministers to promptly complete this Asset Forfeiture Bill,” Yusril said when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He said the government is closely following developments in public aspirations, including plans for a demonstration calling for the acceleration of the Asset Forfeiture Bill in Jakarta on Thursday (27/8).

According to him, the Asset Forfeiture Bill is currently still in the deliberation stage as a DPR initiative.

Once the DPR completes its drafting and submits it to the government, the President will immediately assign the relevant ministers to conduct joint deliberations.

Yusril emphasised that the government and the DPR share the same commitment to complete the deliberation of the bill no later than the end of December 2026.

In addition to the Asset Forfeiture Bill, he also responded to public aspirations regarding the application of the death penalty for corruption offenders.

Yusril explained that such provisions are essentially already regulated in legislation, both in the Corruption Eradication Law and the National Criminal Code.

However, he stressed that the authority to impose the death penalty rests entirely with the judiciary.

“Prosecutors may seek the death penalty based on the severity of the defendant’s wrongdoing, but it is the panel of judges who decides. The government fully respects court rulings,” he said.

Previously, the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB) affirmed that the demonstration to be held in front of the DPR building in Jakarta on Thursday (27/8) would proceed peacefully and focus on two demands related to corruption eradication.

AMPB coordinator Supriyono, also known as Botok, said the two demands were the immediate passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill and the application of the death penalty for corruptors.

“We have no intention of causing unrest in Jakarta. We support the movement of our colleagues in the Greater Jakarta area who will hold the 27 August demonstration,” Botok said when met in Jakarta on Wednesday.