Collaborating with Experts, Mahupiki Socializes the New Criminal Code in Semarang City
Semarang-Indonesian Criminal Law and Criminology Society (Mahupiki) in collaboration with Semarang State University held a socialization event on the New Criminal Code (KUHP) in Semarang, Central Java, Wednesday (1/2).
One of the sources, Professor of the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia, Prof. Topo Santoso, revealed several differences between the national Criminal Code and the old Criminal Code or Wetboek van Strafrecht (WvS).
According to him, these differences include the emergence of discussions along with their academic texts in chapters or books on criminal acts, criminal responsibility, as well as criminal and sentencing.
“In the national Criminal Code, some are similar to the old Criminal Code, but one of the new ones is the emergence of discussion of criminal acts using intermediary tools that did not exist before,” said Prof. Topo
He also explained that developments in the era that allow for criminal acts to occur through sophisticated intermediaries or artificial intelligence have been regulated in the national Criminal Code
“Apart from that, capital punishment is no longer the main punishment but a special punishment with a 10-year trial period which can then be changed to life imprisonment with a record of the President’s approval,” concluded Prof. Topo.
On the same occasion, Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Indonesia, Prof. Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, revealed that there are several articles that are of public concern, including Living Law or customary law, abortion, adultery and cohabitation, as well as insults to state leaders or state institutions.
“It needs to be conveyed and emphasized to the public that these regulations are for the sake of maintaining eastern values and Indonesian culture. In addition, it is necessary to understand that this crime is based on a complaint offense,” he added
Furthermore, Professor of Krisnadwipayana University, Prof. Indriyanto Seno Adji who was present virtually explained that criminal law reform is absolutely necessary. This is because criminal acts are very dynamic following global, regional and national developments.
He also regretted the incomplete understanding of the national Criminal Code by some parties
“Low understanding and easy acceptance of this issue has led to public miscommunication and misinformation regarding the full understanding of the substance of the articles regulated in the Criminal Code,” he said.
In the opening of the Criminal Code socialization event, the Secretary General of Mahupiki, Dr. Ahmad Sofyan, said the socialization activities aimed to discuss the new Criminal Code so that all levels of society fully understand the substance of the new Criminal Code.
Meanwhile, Unnes Semarang Deputy Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Zaenuri Mastur in his speech advised the need for an understanding of the urgency of reforming the Criminal Code in the current era.
“Updating the Criminal Code is urgently needed as a legal reform according to what the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights said, including that it must adapt to the times, be oriented towards modern criminal law, and guarantee legal certainty,” he added.
For information, the socialization of the Criminal Code was held at the Patra Hotel Semarang, Central Java. The event was attended by local officials, legal experts, the Pontianak academic community, and other elements of society.
