West Java Law Ministry Introduces New Criminal Code to Gen Z Through Competition

The West Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Law is enhancing legal literacy among Generation Z, particularly regarding the new Criminal Code (KUHP) and Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). This effort was carried out through the Cerdas Hukum Championship 2026, which was attended by students and youth organisations in West Java on Sunday (9/8/2026). More than 100 participants took part in the event, competing for the championship title. Head of the West Java Ministry of Law Regional Office, Asep Sutandar, stated that the activity serves as a means to improve the younger generation’s understanding of various legal products, including Law Number 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code and Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. “We want to know the extent of their understanding of the law. The younger generation must be law-abiding, understand the law, and be able to implement legal knowledge,” he said on the sidelines of the event. Asep explained that the material discussed included the latest legal regulations such as the KUHP and KUHAP, as well as various contemporary legal issues. He hopes that Generation Z will not only understand the rules but also be able to implement legal knowledge in their daily lives. “How theory and reality in the field are synchronised. Innovation must not deviate from the rules,” he said. One participant, Dafa Pahlevi, representing Pemuda Pancasila, admitted that he was aware of the KUHAP and KUHP legal products. However, he noted that detailed understanding still requires a process. “The KUHAP and KUHP are widely known, but the newest KUHP is not yet fully understood. The details are not there yet because it is hundreds of pages long,” he revealed. Dafa said that his team prepared for one week to take part in the Cerdas Hukum Championship, reading various references to prepare themselves to answer questions from the judges. “The preparation of studying together can be important capital,” he said.