Otto: Criminal Code Reform Prioritises More Humanist Justice

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Wamenko Kumham Imipas) Otto Hasibuan has affirmed that the revision of the Criminal Code (KUHP) prioritises more humanist justice. During a working visit to Lampung on Wednesday (15/7), he revealed that many people, particularly from academic circles, questioned why the new KUHP seemingly defends perpetrators more because it introduces the concept of forgiveness. “In fact, the substance is not like that. Legal developments are moving towards a more humanist approach, without reducing legal certainty or protection for victims,” Otto said, as confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday. He stressed that the successful implementation of the KUHP and the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) cannot be carried out by the government alone. According to him, a shared understanding and collaboration from all stakeholders, including advocates, law enforcement officials, academics, and regional governments, are needed so that the objectives of legal reform can be realised. He emphasised that the ultimate goal of reforming the KUHP and KUHAP is to ensure that the public obtains justice through a better, more modern legal system that continues to uphold humanitarian values. Through the outreach activities conducted in Lampung, the government hopes that understanding of the substance of criminal law reform will increase, so that the implementation of the KUHP and KUHAP can run effectively and provide legal certainty and a sense of justice for the community. Otto also expressed appreciation for the welcome given by the Lampung Provincial Government. He explained that the visit to Lampung was not only aimed at introducing the role and function of the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, but was also part of efforts to socialise the implementation of the KUHP and KUHAP to various stakeholders in the region. During the meeting, Deputy Governor Jihan Nurlela welcomed Otto’s visit and expressed hope that the presence of the ministry could strengthen synergy between the central government and the Lampung Provincial Government, especially in the development of the legal sector.