Peradi says advocates need to understand cross-border law
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) Otto Hasibuan has emphasised the importance of advocates understanding the legal systems in force across various countries, as the handling of crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions becomes increasingly complex.
“The handling of criminal cases can no longer always be viewed from the legal perspective of a single country,” Otto said at the opening of The 36th Presidents of Law Associations in Asia (POLA) Summit in Jakarta on Monday.
Otto explained that developments in modern crime — such as cybercrime, corporate crime, banking offences, financial transactions, and the use of electronic evidence — increasingly involve more than one national jurisdiction.
“This phenomenon reinforces the urgency of international cooperation, while still upholding the principle of due process of law and the protection of the rights of both suspects and victims,” he said.
At the 36th POLA Summit, held on 7–8 September 2026 in Jakarta, Peradi used the occasion to introduce Indonesia’s new Criminal Code (KUHP) and Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) to delegates from advocates’ organisations across Asia.
“Everyone wanted to come, but then something unexpected happened, such as the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. Nevertheless, the delegates are very enthusiastic to learn more about Indonesia’s new KUHP and KUHAP, because these changes also have an impact on international law,” Otto said.
The event, carrying the theme “Criminal Law in Transition: Indonesia’s New Code and Global Perspectives”, was attended by 50 delegates from POLA member advocates’ organisations as well as international observers, including the International Bar Association (IBA), the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), LAWASIA, the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA), and BRILSA.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas) Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who attended as keynote speaker, welcomed the socialisation initiative positively.
“The government welcomes this event as an effort to introduce the new KUHP and KUHAP to lawyers across the Asian region,” Yusril said.
On the same occasion, Chief of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court (MA) Prim Haryadi said the Supreme Court had mitigated the legal transition period by issuing technical guidelines, including SEMA Number 1 of 2026 on Guidelines for the Implementation of the KUHAP-KUHP and SEMA Number 2 of 2026 on Guidelines for Filing Cassation.
Beyond the discussion of transnational crime issues, the two-day forum also featured a Presidents’ Summit for the presentation of Country Reports from each member country, as well as a working visit by the delegates to the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia.