Observer says Asset Forfeiture Bill deadline shows political commitment

Legal and development analyst Hardjuno Wiwoho has said that setting a deadline for the passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill demonstrates political commitment to completing regulations on eradicating corruption and economic crime.

“This written commitment deserves appreciation because it provides a clear measure to the public,” Hardjuno said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Hardjuno, the commitment gives the public an opportunity to monitor the deliberation process while also demanding accountability if the passage target is not met.

Nevertheless, he reminded that accelerating the deliberation must not reduce the quality of the substance of the law to be enacted.

He said the Asset Forfeiture Bill must guarantee the protection of citizens’ rights, a fair objection mechanism, judicial oversight, and prevent abuse of authority by officials.

Hardjuno stressed that asset forfeiture should not be understood merely as an effort to seize wealth obtained from crime.

“The success of the Asset Forfeiture Bill will later be measured not only by how much in assets the state manages to seize, but also by how clearly those assets are managed and how tangible the benefits felt by the public are,” he said.

Therefore, Hardjuno encouraged the deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill to be conducted openly with public participation.

Previously, the leadership of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) committed to passing the Asset Forfeiture Bill on 15 December 2026. The commitment was conveyed when receiving an audience with representatives of the Pati United Community Alliance (AMPB) protest group.

“There is already an agreement from the DPR leadership committing to complete this law on time,” said Dasco at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (27/8).

The DPR RI leadership and AMPB representatives then presented a signed agreement document. The document contains the DPR leadership’s commitment to take responsibility if the Asset Forfeiture Bill is not completed by the deadline.

Dasco also stated that he is prepared to meet AMPB’s demand to resign if the Asset Forfeiture Bill is not completed by 15 December 2026.

He said he is not concerned about the demand because the DPR RI has committed to completing the deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill according to the target.