To Avoid Manipulation, Sahroni Urges Asset Forfeiture Bill to Target Third Parties: Assets Must Be Seized First

Jakarta, VIVA – The Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ahmad Sahroni, has requested that the Asset Forfeiture Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset) strictly regulate enforcement against third, fourth, and subsequent parties suspected of being involved in the flow of corruption proceeds.

Sahroni believes that parties who are consciously involved in the flow of criminal funds must also be subject to legal action. Therefore, the NasDem politician proposed that the assets of parties indicated to be involved could be seized first to prevent manipulation, while their final legal status would still be determined through the court process.

This was stated by Sahroni during a meeting with several experts to discuss the Asset Forfeiture Bill at the parliamentary complex, Jakarta, on Monday (5/10/2026).

“The assets must be seized first. Only then will the court decide on their status,” Sahroni emphasised. “This is important to avoid any attempts to manipulate the proceeds of crime and money laundering.”

Furthermore, Sahroni hopes that the Asset Forfeiture Bill can serve as a primary instrument for firm and impartial corruption eradication. According to him, law enforcement agencies need to act immediately if evidence points towards the involvement of third parties.

This firm approach is intended to instil the understanding that assisting, receiving, or laundering criminal proceeds carries heavy legal consequences. “In doing so, the recovery of state losses can be truly maximised, while simultaneously providing a preventative aspect,” said Sahroni.

During the public hearing (RDPU) at Commission III, legal experts Dr M. Fatahilah Akbar from the Faculty of Law, UGM, and Dr Taufik Rahman from the Faculty of Law, Universitas Airlangga, were also present.

Muhammad Fatahillah Akbar proposed the formation of an independent Asset Recovery Agency. He argued that such an independent body is necessary to prevent potential conflicts of interest among law enforcement agencies.

He explained that an independent body could manage criminal proceeds in an integrated manner. One of the primary reasons is that the management of criminal assets possesses its own complexities, whereas the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) and the Prosecutor’s Office have different functions.

“It is not actually ideal if we are always building new agencies. But if we must, to simplify and create better focus, it is indeed good to have a dedicated, independent asset recovery agency,” said Fatahillah.