Criminal Procedure Code Bill Clarify the Duties and Functions of Law Enforcement Officers
Jakarta – The revision of the Criminal Procedure Code (RUU KUHAP) has become the public spotlight because it is considered to clarify the duties, main points, and functions (tupoksi) of law enforcement officers without significantly changing their institutional role.
This bill has received a presidential letter (surpres) and has officially entered the legislative agenda. The Ministry of Law and Human Rights is currently compiling a Problem Inventory List (DIM) which will be the subject of further discussion with the DPR. A coordination meeting with a number of ministries and institutions will be held soon to filter input and aspirations that are developing in the community.
The Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas explained that the main substance in the draft revision of the Criminal Procedure Code that he received from the DPR emphasizes more on protecting human rights, especially for suspects in the legal process. The duties and functions of law enforcement officers in general have not changed much, so that it does not cause resistance from the police or prosecutors.
“If I look at it, from the existing regulations in the draft of the Criminal Procedure Code from the DPR, it is more about protecting people who are suspected of doing it, in this case the suspect. This concerns the protection of Human Rights (HAM),” said Supratman.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, revealed that official discussions regarding the revision of the Criminal Procedure Code have not yet begun because the DPR is still in recess. The discussion will continue after the session period resumes after the Eid holiday on April 17, 2025.
“The DPR Commission III has started holding meetings with civil society groups to accommodate aspirations related to the Criminal Procedure Code Bill. However, the formation of the council’s supporting apparatus (AKD) which will officially discuss this bill with the government is still waiting for the start of the session,” explained Puan.
The Chairperson of Commission III of the DPR, Habiburokhman, also expressed the same thing, that the discussion will be carried out by the commission in charge of legal affairs. He targets the completion of the revision of the Criminal Procedure Code to be completed in one to two session periods.
“If possible, one session tomorrow is finished, we will have a new Criminal Procedure Code,” said Habiburokhman.
The revision of the Criminal Procedure Code is an important momentum in law enforcement in Indonesia, where clarity of the duties and functions of officers and guarantees of protection of the rights of suspects are two crucial things that are accommodated. This effort is expected to strengthen the national criminal justice system to be fairer, more transparent, and uphold the principles of human rights.
