By: Dewi Amara )*
The government’s move, along with the House of Representatives (DPR), to expedite deliberations on the Asset Confiscation Bill, has received a positive response from various groups. This regulation is seen as an important legal instrument to strengthen efforts to eradicate corruption and ensure the state has a firm basis for confiscating assets obtained through criminal activity.
Nasir Djamil, a member of Commission III of the DPR, expressed his institution’s readiness if deliberations on the bill were delegated to his commission. He emphasized that both the leadership and members were ready to carry out their duties if entrusted with such responsibility. According to Nasir, the technical aspects of the deliberations could be adjusted as needed, whether running parallel with other draft laws or prioritizing them. The most important thing, he said, is the political will to maintain momentum so that the aspirations of the President and the public can be realized quickly.
This statement demonstrates the alignment between the government and the DPR in following up on the people’s aspirations. Legislative support is key to ensuring that the draft bill prepared by the government is not delayed again, as occurred in previous periods. With the House of Representatives’ (DPR) willingness, the chances of finalizing the Asset Forfeiture Bill by 2025 are even greater.
From a civil society perspective, support has come from youth groups. Ilham Abraham Mansyur, Chairman of the Golden Indonesia Millennial Movement (GMIE) 2045, viewed the bill as a significant milestone in legal reform. He argued that corrupt practices not only cause state financial losses but also undermine development and burden the younger generation. He emphasized that millennials and Generation Z do not want to inherit a country burdened by debt due to corrupt practices.
Ilham added that corruption poses a direct threat to Indonesia’s future, as it hinders the creation of quality jobs and restricts people’s access to prosperity. Therefore, GMIE 2045 fully supports the accelerated deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill. He believes the regulation needs to be seriously discussed, article by article, to produce regulations that are not only firm against perpetrators but also fair and transparent.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the credibility of the legal process. For the younger generation, the existence of clear regulations will instill optimism that the country is truly committed to ridding itself of corruption. In this way, the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 can be realized, not just as a slogan, but as a concrete agenda rooted in clean governance.
Despite strong public support, academics emphasize the need for caution in formulating the articles in the bill. Professor Harris Arthur Hedar of Makassar State University assessed that while the bill’s objectives are noble, several provisions have the potential to cause problems if not clarified. He highlighted one article that allows for the confiscation of assets without waiting for a criminal verdict. He believes this provision has the potential to deviate from the presumption of innocence, a fundamental principle of law.
Harris also emphasized the need for clarity in the article stating that assets can be confiscated if they are disproportionate to legitimate income. He believes the phrase “disproportionate” is too subjective and could impact low-income communities with weak administrative systems. He cited the example of farmers or citizens who inherit land without complete documents who could be implicated even if they have not committed a crime.
He further criticized the article that allows for the confiscation of assets even if the suspect has died, fled, or been released. He believes this clause has the potential to harm heirs and well-intentioned third parties. Harris reminded that the spirit of eradicating corruption must not sacrifice the rights of innocent citizens.
Nevertheless, he continued to emphasize the importance of the Asset Forfeiture Bill in strengthening the country’s legal instruments. According to him, what is needed is a balance between the state’s firmness in eradicating corruption and protecting the rights of the people. If the articles are carefully formulated, this bill will be a major breakthrough in legal reform in Indonesia.
Public appreciation for the accelerated deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill is inseparable from the substantial state losses due to corrupt practices. According to anti-corruption agencies, in recent years, state losses due to corruption cases have reached hundreds of trillions of rupiah. This figure reflects the serious threat corruption poses to national development.
Therefore, the presence of a law that allows for effective asset forfeiture is believed to strengthen the state’s response. Until now, legal proceedings in corruption cases have often been hampered by perpetrators hiding or transferring the proceeds of crime. WithUnder the new regulations, the state has stronger authority to trace, confiscate, and return assets resulting from criminal activity.
The government has demonstrated its commitment by including the Asset Forfeiture Bill in the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). This agreement demonstrates a shared political resolve between the executive and legislative branches. This commitment is expected to address public demands for concrete steps to eradicate corruption at its roots.
The expedited passage of the Asset Forfeiture Bill will demonstrate that the government has not only listened to the people’s aspirations but also acted on them with concrete measures. If successfully passed, this regulation will provide a strong foundation for Indonesia to uphold justice, protect state assets, and ensure a cleaner future for future generations.
)* Public Policy Observer
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