New Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes Enacted; Unpad Law Faculty Updates 2026 Academic Curriculum
The government has enacted the National Criminal Code and new Criminal Procedure Code. The Faculty of Law at Padjadjaran University (FH Unpad) is responding to the new regulations as a transition towards a new era in Indonesia’s criminal justice system. FH Unpad is preparing a phased curriculum adjustment to welcome the 2026 academic year.
Dean of FH Unpad, R Achmad Gusman Catur Siswandi, stated that curriculum adjustment is essential to ensure law graduates are prepared for the existing dynamics. The adjustment will cover Introduction to Legal Science, Introduction to Indonesian Law, and Criminal Law subjects.
“The colonial-era Criminal Code is no longer relevant; the new regulations have accommodated anticipation of modern crime, including cybercrime,” said Achmad Gusman at the socialisation event ‘Implications and Implementation for the Legal Profession’ at Graha Sanusi Hardjadinata, Bandung, on Thursday (12 March 2026).
The event was held through collaboration between the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) West Java, FH Unpad, the West Java Board of the Indonesian Notary Association (INI), and the Notary Alumni Family Association (Ikano) Unpad.
Head of the Kemenkumham Regional Office West Java Asep Sutandar highlighted the importance of this cross-sectoral activity to dispel doubts in the application of regulations in the field. He expressed gratitude that the event was attended in full by law enforcement officers, lawyers, academics, notaries, and representatives of local government to align perceptions in the implementation phase.
General Chair of Ikano Unpad, Dr Ranti Fauza Mayana, welcomed the high level of participant interest in welcoming this legal transition. The collaboration carried out has yielded results beyond expectations.
“The number of participants exceeded 1,200 people from a maximum target of 1,000, including attendance by regional police leadership and House of Representatives representatives,” she said.
Ranti appreciated the presentation by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Law, Prof Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, as the main speaker. The presentation was considered comprehensive yet easily understood because it was delivered in accessible language, allowing the essential message of the new law to be conveyed effectively.
During discussion, several crucial issues were examined in depth. These included recognition of customary law (living law) as a counterbalance to local wisdom, protection of state ideology from the threat of radicalism, and regulation of defamation offences providing clear boundaries between freedom of expression and criminal acts. The new policy also emphasises the strengthening of human rights at every stage of judicial proceedings and prioritises restorative justice.
Chair of the West Java Regional Board of INI, H Dhody AR Widjajaatmadja, assessed that the new Criminal Procedure Code also provides a positive development regarding legal certainty for the notary profession. In principle, this legal update clarifies the status of authentic deeds and protection of professional confidentiality. Notaries, according to Dhody, are legally protected regarding professional secrets and can be exempt from criminal liability if acting in the performance of their duties.