SPEDA Backs DPR’s Public Consultation on Asset Forfeiture Bill

JAKARTA ■ STUPA NEWS —  The National Executive Board of the Solidarity of Village Youth (SPEDA) has expressed its support for the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in gathering public input across the country as part of the deliberation of the Asset Forfeiture Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset).

SPEDA believes that public participation in the legislative process is essential to ensuring that the proposed law is inclusive, fair, and capable of strengthening Indonesia's anti-corruption framework.

DPN SPEDA official Romario Simbolon said the Asset Forfeiture Bill should become one of the priorities in the 2026 National Legislative Program (Prolegnas). He argued that the legislation is needed to strengthen the country's legal framework for recovering state losses by enabling the confiscation of assets derived from criminal activities in accordance with applicable laws.

"Fighting corruption is not enough by merely overseeing government programs. More importantly, we must strengthen the legal system so that corrupt individuals are stripped of their illicit wealth and stolen assets are returned to the state for the benefit of the public. Therefore, we believe the Asset Forfeiture Bill should be a priority in the 2026 National Legislative Program," Romario Simbolon said.

According to SPEDA, the success of anti-corruption efforts should not be measured solely by the number of offenders prosecuted, but also by the state's ability to recover assets obtained through criminal activities and redirect them toward national development and public welfare.

The organization also welcomed the DPR RI's initiative to open broader opportunities for public participation by collecting community aspirations from various regions.

SPEDA believes that a legislative process involving the public will produce laws that are more responsive to societal needs, enjoy stronger public legitimacy, and provide greater legal certainty.

As a youth organization with networks across Indonesia, SPEDA also expressed its readiness to actively participate in the public consultation process related to the Asset Forfeiture Bill.

"We are ready to become a strategic partner of the DPR RI by helping channel public aspirations from villages across the country. Young people should be given the opportunity to contribute to the policymaking process, particularly on legislation that serves the national interest. SPEDA is prepared to engage directly with communities to ensure that the Asset Forfeiture Bill truly reflects the needs of the people," Romario Simbolon emphasized.

SPEDA further expressed hope that discussions on the Asset Forfeiture Bill would be conducted transparently and inclusively while upholding the principles of the rule of law, including the protection of human rights and guarantees of due process.

The organization believes that a well-crafted Asset Forfeiture Law will become an effective legal instrument for disrupting corruption, recovering state assets, and strengthening public confidence in Indonesia's law enforcement system. (Jamil)