Researcher deems Asset Forfeiture Bill discussion timely after new Criminal Procedure Code

Jakarta - Indikator Politik Indonesia researcher Bawono Kumoro believes the current discussion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill is appropriate following the enactment of the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) as the foundation of Indonesia’s criminal justice system. According to him, the enforcement of the new KUHAP serves as an important basis for ensuring the norms within the Asset Forfeiture Bill align with the prevailing criminal law system, whilst strengthening legal certainty in the application of these rules. In a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, Bawono said the deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill needs to be synchronised with the new KUHAP, which has been in effect since 2 January 2026, so that every regulated norm possesses legal certainty and consistency. “After Indonesia officially has a new KUHAP and it has been in effect since 2 January 2026, the discussion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill is ideal to conduct now,” Bawono stated. Therefore, synchronisation between the two regulations is considered crucial before the Asset Forfeiture Bill is passed. “The position of the new KUHAP will be the main foundation of Indonesia’s criminal justice system going forward,” he said. Bawono assessed that the shift in the discussion schedule from the end of 2025 to after the enforcement of the new KUHAP is not a form of sluggishness or weak political commitment from the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government. “This is a form of prudence to ensure alignment with other regulations,” he said. According to him, a longer deliberation process is reasonable because lawmakers need to comprehensively absorb public aspirations. Meanwhile, House Commission III is planned to continue discussing the Asset Forfeiture Bill even though the DPR is about to enter a recess period. Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad has allowed the commission to continue deliberating the bill during the recess after obtaining permission in accordance with the applicable mechanism. Bawono hopes the discussion of the Asset Forfeiture Bill will produce an effective legal instrument to strengthen the eradication of corruption without neglecting the principles of the rule of law. He emphasised that the regulation must still uphold the presumption of innocence so that asset forfeiture efforts run effectively whilst providing legal certainty for all parties.