Jakarta – The government together with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening the national legal system through discussions on the Draft Law on the Criminal Procedure Code (RUU KUHAP) which is now being carried out openly and participatively. This effort marks a new chapter in legal reform in Indonesia, while also affirming the importance of public involvement in every process of forming regulations concerning the basic rights of citizens.
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the revision of Law Number 8 of 1981 concerning Criminal Procedure Law (RUU KUHAP) will be discussed with the government in the near future. He conveyed this after the government signed the Problem Inventory List (DIM) of the RUU KUHAP.
“The discussion of the RUU KUHAP was carried out starting this week, carried out openly and providing space for public participation. One of them is by displaying the development of the discussion of the RUU KUHAP on the page provided,” said Dasco.
In addition, Dasco stated that the DPR actively asked for public opinion to provide input in the drafting of the Criminal Procedure Code. This step was also taken by Commission III during the recess period.
Previously, the government had signed the DIM of the Criminal Procedure Code Bill. Deputy Minister of Law Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej said the draft contained around six thousand problem inventories.
“DIM contains around six thousand issues, compiled by the Ministry of Law based on the results of discussions involving various parties, ranging from law enforcement, civil society coalitions, academics, to advocates,” said Hiariej.
Open discussion of the Criminal Procedure Code Bill reflects the spirit of democracy and the principle of transparency that continues to be upheld in the preparation of laws and regulations. Through the renewal of the Criminal Procedure Code, the legal system is expected to be more oriented towards protecting human rights.
Furthermore, the inclusive approach in the discussion of the RUU KUHAP also serves as an example for the formation of other regulations in the future. Although it is in the main domain of the government and parliament, the formation of laws now also adopts a participatory approach from the public.
The open discussion of the Criminal Procedure Code Bill is an important symbol that law is not only about rules, but also about trust. When the people are involved, the law is no longer something scary or far from everyday life, but becomes part of a social system that guarantees justice and protection for all.
Thus, the process of drafting the new Criminal Procedure Code which is open and prioritizes public participation is a strategic step towards a more just, modern and participatory national legal system.
