Public Urged to Monitor Discussions on Asset Forfeiture Bill in Parliament

Legal and development observer Hardjuni Wiwoho has urged the public not to be misled by incorrect information regarding the Asset Forfeiture Bill. According to him, the narrative circulating on social media claiming that the House of Representatives (DPR) has rejected the bill is factually inaccurate and risks distracting the public from its core substance.

Hardjuno explained that, based on the progress of discussions within Commission III of the DPR, the Asset Forfeiture Bill is still in the drafting and harmonisation stage. He added that during the parliamentary recess, Commission III continued to gather aspirations across various regions, involving law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to refine the bill’s substance.

“Therefore, public energy should not be wasted debating incorrect information. What is far more important is ensuring that the discussion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill proceeds transparently and accountably, resulting in a regulation that is truly effective in recovering assets derived from criminal activities,” Hardjuno stated in Jakarta on Saturday (1/8/2026).

According to Hardjuno, the caution exercised by Commission III in aligning the Asset Forfeiture Bill with the Criminal Code (KUHP), the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the principles of due process of law, human rights protections, and the protection of good-faith third parties is a vital component in building a regulation that is both robust and just, without creating opportunities for the abuse of power.

Hardjuno noted that this view aligns with the findings of his doctoral research on the Principle of Legal Certainty in the Acceleration of Legal Reform regarding Asset Forfeiture Without Criminal Charges. In his dissertation, he concluded that the mechanism for asset forfeiture without a criminal conviction should be established as its own distinct legal regime, rather than merely serving as a supplement to existing criminal law.

“Asset forfeiture must indeed be strengthened so that the state is capable of pursuing the proceeds of crime, particularly corruption and economic crimes. However, the strengthening of state authority must go hand in hand with legal certainty,” said Hardjuno.