Habiburokhman Calls for Special Oversight Body in Asset Forfeiture Bill Implementation

House Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman has stated the need for a special supervisory body in the implementation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill. This special oversight is deemed necessary to prevent abuse of power by law enforcement officials. The statement was made during a public hearing with academics and advocates at the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday. The commission overseeing legal affairs received various inputs on the Asset Forfeiture Bill. “Thank you for the very valuable input. There are three things I would like to confirm regarding your opinions. First, whether the appropriate nomenclature for the law is asset recovery, because UNCAC and others all refer to asset recovery,” said Habiburokhman. The Gerindra Party deputy chairman emphasised the need for oversight of the bill’s operationalisation, highlighting concerns about the integrity of law enforcement officials in the asset recovery process. “Second, regarding the supervision of the operationalisation and implementation of this law. We know that the issue of clean law enforcement is a problem right now. We must not try to clean a house with a dirty broom. If that situation occurs, it could be a disaster,” Habiburokhman said. He expressed hope that asset forfeiture would not become a tool for individuals to abuse power. He wants all corruptors to be held accountable and their assets seized for recovery. “If there are uncontrolled officers who abuse power, extort, and misuse their authority while possessing great power, I think it will create new problems,” he stated. “What will happen is not asset recovery or asset forfeiture for the state, but asset robbery by corrupt and dirty officers,” he added. Habiburokhman said this must be anticipated with stricter supervision and spoke of the need for a special supervisory body to monitor the implementation of asset forfeiture. “Are there best practices in other countries regarding a special supervisory body? For example, we have the KPK Supervisory Board and others. A special supervisory body that is maximally effective in preventing abuse of power,” said Habiburokhman. “We are afraid we might end up like a country in the era of warlords, where groups attack each other,” he added.