By: Ridwan Kurnia )*
The revision of the 2025–2026 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) has finally placed the Asset Forfeiture Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset) among the top legislative priorities. This decision marks a significant step by both Parliament (DPR) and the government in responding to the 17+8 voices of the people demanding genuine commitment to eradicating corruption and money laundering in Indonesia.
The bill’s shift—from a long-discussed concept to an official legislative agenda—demonstrates the seriousness of both the legislature and the executive in listening to public aspirations.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, explained that the Prolegnas revision is tangible proof of a change in initiative—previously led by the government, now carried forward by DPR.
According to him, this cannot be separated from mounting public pressure through the 17+8 package of demands. He emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly urged DPR to immediately finalize deliberations on the bill, considering it crucial to strengthening efforts against financial crimes.
Yusril also recalled that the Asset Forfeiture Bill had actually been proposed as far back as 2023 under the administration of Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, but failed to gain traction in Parliament for years. This reflects the complexity of the bill’s political journey. However, recent coordination with Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas confirmed that the bill is now officially included in the 2025–2026 Prolegnas, with the government ready to deliberate once DPR submits the draft.
DPR shares this commitment. Deputy Chair of the Legislative Body (Baleg), Ahmad Doli Kurnia, stated that revising Prolegnas to prioritize the bill is indeed possible. He added that Baleg is prepared to move swiftly should an agreement with the government be reached, including if the bill is formally taken over as a DPR initiative.
Doli stressed that if the bill originates from DPR, its drafting process would be more efficient, requiring only a single list of issues (DIM) from the government. This would allow for faster deliberations compared to a bill originating from the executive branch. He described this as a golden opportunity to ensure swift completion, given the public’s demand—through the 17+8 voices—for concrete results rather than empty promises.
Supratman Andi Agtas, the Minister of Law, echoed this view, reaffirming that the Asset Forfeiture Bill has already been placed among the government’s top priorities. He noted that President Prabowo has repeatedly emphasized the importance of this law in ensuring legal justice against perpetrators of corruption and money laundering.
According to Supratman, the dynamics unfolding in DPR have, in fact, opened the way for accelerated deliberations. Thus, the Prolegnas revision represents a crucial momentum to finalize this regulation.
The bill’s inclusion in the new Prolegnas marks an important transformation in Indonesia’s legislative politics. More than a symbolic gesture, the decision reflects consolidation between the executive and legislature after years of stagnation. Parliament’s previous reluctance to elevate the bill to official agenda status had disappointed the public, particularly since corruption and illegal asset recovery remain pressing concerns. Now, however, a new chapter has begun with the consensus to prioritize it.
DPR’s swift approval of the revision should be viewed as political legitimacy granted to public aspirations. The 17+8 package of demands, born out of long-standing frustration, has finally received a tangible response. It is no exaggeration for the public to see this decision as proof that their voices are truly considered in national policymaking.Still, the greatest challenge lies in deliberation. The Asset Forfeiture Bill involves not only legal frameworks but also deeply entrenched political, economic, and institutional interests. The effectiveness of the law will depend heavily on DPR and the government’s ability to uphold their commitments without compromising the bill’s substance.
The current momentum presents a rare and valuable opportunity. The Prolegnas revision demonstrates Parliament and the government’s willingness to listen to the people. Yet, consistency in the deliberation process will be the real test.
If the Asset Forfeiture Bill is successfully passed in line with public expectations, history will record that the 17+8 voices of the people drove the nation’s political machinery toward a stronger stance against corruption.
Thus, the Prolegnas revision is not merely an administrative note but a reflection of a paradigm shift in policymaking. Both Parliament and the government are now tasked with proving that their commitment to fighting financial crimes is not just political rhetoric, but a concrete step toward upholding justice. The people’s voices have been heard—now the greatest responsibility lies with their representatives and the government to fulfill that promise.
*) The author is a public policy observer