Sahroni: Seizing Assets Undeclared in LHKPN Would Violate Human Rights Without Justification

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Deputy Chair of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ahmad Sahroni, said that seizing officials’ assets not listed in their State Officials’ Wealth Reports (LHKPN) would violate human rights if done without clear justification.

He said asset seizures must be based on proof of an offence and a clear legal basis to prevent abuse of power. The proposal to seize officials’ assets not recorded in their LHKPN declarations was put forward by Johanis Tanak, Deputy Chair of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“However, the LHKPN rules also need to be clarified, and there must be sanctions for those who fail to comply and be transparent, so that the rules provide certainty,” Sahroni said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He said what is needed now is to ensure that state officials properly submit their LHKPN declarations. Many public officials are currently late in reporting, or have yet to report, changes to their assets, he said.

“The KPK must ensure that all public officials update their LHKPN declarations, and that these are transparent, because this is a form of transparency and accountability in public office,” he said.

Sahroni said the Asset Forfeiture Bill is still under discussion, with various approaches being considered. He said the investigation process and the evidence presented in court would determine which assets could be seized, so every step must follow a clear legal process.

“The main focus must remain on upholding the presumption of innocence, so that the fight against corruption can be firm while still respecting people’s rights and ensuring it is not used as a tool for abuse of power,” Sahroni said.

Tanak had earlier proposed that the Bill on the Forfeiture of Assets Related to Criminal Acts (Asset Forfeiture Bill) allow the state to seize assets belonging to state officials that are not listed in their LHKPN declarations.

“If someone files a State Officials’ Wealth Report (LHKPN), and it turns out that their actual wealth exceeds the amount declared, then those assets may be seized,” Tanak told journalists in Jakarta on Sunday (25 October).

He also proposed that the state be allowed to seize the assets of officials required to file an LHKPN declaration who fail to do so.