Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, August 31, 2026 at 06:15 AM

House proposes asset forfeiture for forestry, human trafficking crimes

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Bagus Rizaldi, Uyu Liman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has proposed including 13 criminal offenses, including corruption, forestry crimes, and human trafficking, in the Asset Forfeiture Bill, targeted for completion by December 15, 2026.

Habiburokhman, Chairman of Commission III of DPR RI, which oversees legal, human rights, and security affairs, acknowledged public concerns that ordinary citizens, not just state officials, could be subject to asset seizures under the new regulation.

However, he emphasized that the Indonesian Constitution upholds the principle of equality before the law.

"Anyone who violates the law must face sanctions, regardless of their position or background," Habiburokhman said in Jakarta on Monday.

Under the proposed bill, the criminal offenses subject to asset forfeiture include corruption, narcotics and psychotropic drug offenses, terrorism, people smuggling, forestry crimes, environmental crimes, taxation offenses, banking crimes, insurance-sector crimes, and mining crimes.

The bill would also cover the smuggling of weapons, ammunition, and hazardous materials, as well as marine and fisheries crimes and human trafficking.

He said applying asset forfeiture to crimes beyond corruption is similar to practices in the United Kingdom, the United States, and several other countries.

However, Habiburokhman stressed that asset forfeiture must not be enforced arbitrarily against the public. He warned that the Asset Forfeiture Law must not become a tool of power to extort citizens, criminalize political opponents, or silence critics.

"Therefore, Commission III is seeking the best formula to strengthen oversight of the implementation of the Asset Forfeiture Law," he said.

He said there must be a strong institution capable of taking action against corrupt law enforcement officers who abuse their authority in enforcing the Asset Forfeiture Law. Those officers, he added, should face disciplinary, professional and criminal sanctions.

"In short, the implementation of the Asset Forfeiture Law requires law enforcement personnel who are clean and uphold high standards of integrity," he said.

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