KBPP Polri Urges DPR to Fulfill Promise to Pass Asset Forfeiture Bill

The General Chairperson of the KBPP Polri, AH. Bimo Suryono, stated that the commitment made by the leadership of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) to finalise the Asset Forfeiture Bill by 15 December 2026 has now entered the stage of proof.

According to him, this promise must go beyond mere political statements and be demonstrated through a transparent legislative process in accordance with the law-making mechanism. Bimo also noted that the public must continue to monitor this commitment until the long-awaited regulation is fully completed. This follows public demands for the acceleration of the Asset Forfeiture Bill discussions and the strengthening of punishments for corruptors.

“When the community brings demands, the DPR leadership responds with a clear commitment. There is even a time target. I hope all parties within the DPR RI can oversee this commitment until its completion,” Bimo said in a statement on Sunday (30/8).

Bimo believes that the statements from the DPR leadership have placed the discussion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill under public scrutiny. He noted that the public has grounds to demand consistency from the DPR because the deadline for completion was disclosed openly.

“This is a skillful and firm step. The statement is not merely political rhetoric. This moral and political commitment must be proven through a transparent legislative process and in accordance with the mechanism of law formation,” he said.

Bimo argued that eradicating corruption is not sufficient by relying solely on imprisonment. He believes a serious focus must be placed on the recovery and forfeiture of assets derived from corrupt practices through legal mechanisms.

“Corruptors should not only be intimidated by prison sentences. What must be strengthened is how the proceeds of their crimes can be traced and returned to the state through clear legal mechanisms. We must ensure that an individual does not serve a sentence while still enjoying the proceeds of their crime through themselves or other parties,” he explained.

Bimo emphasised that these principles must be implemented while upholding legal certainty, due process of law, the protection of citizens’ rights, and valid evidence.

Furthermore, he continued, the deterrent effect in fighting corruption does not lie solely in the length of time someone spends behind bars. There is another, far more important dimension: ensuring that the profits obtained from crime cannot be enjoyed by the perpetrators.

Therefore, Bimo believes that the discussion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill must be conducted seriously, openly, and without losing its substance.

“If people only fear detention, they may not all be deterred. But if the proceeds of crime are traced, seized, or forfeited based on court decisions and applicable legal mechanisms, and then returned for the benefit of the state and the community, it will provide a much stronger deterrent effect,” he said.

Moreover, Bimo emphasised that the courage to eradicate corruption must begin with the state’s courage to ensure that crime does not yield profit. Punishments may end, but the proceeds of crime must not become a legacy.

“Hopefully, this commitment will truly be realised and the Asset Forfeiture Bill can be completed promptly in accordance with constitutional mechanisms,” he said.

The House of Representatives (DPR RI) previously promised to pass the Asset Forfeiture Bill into law by 15 December 2026 at the latest.

This promise was made in response to a demonstration by the Aliansi Masyarakat Pati Bersatu (AMPB) and others demanding the passage of the regulation in front of the DPR Building, Jakarta, on Thursday (27/8).

During a Plenary Session, the DPR leadership held an audience with representatives from the AMPB inside the parliament building.

The three DPR leaders present were Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Cucu Ahmad Syamsurizal, and Saan Mustopa.

As a form of commitment to this passage, the DPR leadership signed a written agreement stating they are prepared to resign if the agreement is not realised.

The letter specified that the DPR leadership is prepared to resign not only from their leadership positions but also from their roles as members of the house.