DePA-RI Urges Indonesia to Focus Anti-Corruption Efforts on Asset Recovery

SOLO, STUPA NEWS — Indonesia's anti-corruption efforts should focus not only on prosecuting offenders but also on tracing and recovering assets derived from corruption, the chairman of the Dewan Pergerakan Advokat Republik Indonesia (DePA-RI), Tahir Musa Luthfi Yazid, said on Saturday.

Luthfi said a stronger "follow the money" approach was needed to ensure that proceeds of corruption did not remain under the control of offenders or continue to benefit their families and associates.

"Corruption enforcement should not stop at putting someone in prison. It must also address the proceeds of the crime," Luthfi said in a speech at the inauguration of DePA-RI's local chapters in six districts and municipalities in Central Java.

He said the effectiveness of Indonesia's anti-corruption drive should not be measured solely by the number of cases investigated or people convicted, but also by how much state losses and illicit assets could be recovered.

"Corruption is not merely a legal issue. It concerns the dignity of a nation," Luthfi said.

His comments came as Indonesia's parliament is working on a long-awaited asset forfeiture bill aimed at strengthening the government's ability to recover assets linked to criminal offenses.

The House of Representatives has set a target of completing deliberations on the bill by Dec. 15, 2026.

Luthfi urged lawmakers to meet that deadline and called on President Prabowo Subianto's government to support stronger measures against corruption.

He also said officials proven to have been involved in corruption should face firm action.

Luthfi cited China's experience as an example of a country that has imposed severe penalties on government and political officials convicted of corruption. He said Indonesia should also ensure that criminal proceeds are recovered rather than remaining available to those who benefited from the offenses.

"With increasingly sophisticated corruption schemes, deterrence must be real. The fight against corruption must reach the proceeds of the crime," he said.

At the same time, Luthfi said tougher enforcement must remain within the framework of due process and respect for the presumption of innocence, the right to legal representation and judicial independence.

"We need firm law enforcement, but firmness must not eliminate the presumption of innocence, the right to a defense or judicial independence. Deterrence must come from a fair legal process, not from trial by media," he said.

As a professional lawyers' organization, DePA-RI said lawyers have a responsibility to help ensure that law enforcement is carried out professionally, objectively and with legal certainty.

Luthfi said lawyers must defend people facing legal proceedings, but such a duty should not be interpreted as an endorsement or justification of corruption.

DePA-RI also called for stronger preventive measures at the local government level, including greater public legal awareness and efforts to strengthen anti-corruption practices.

"We want DePA-RI chapters in Central Java to become part of the community's effort to uphold the rule of law and clean government," Luthfi said.

He said the fight against corruption was not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, but also required the involvement of government, businesses, civil society, academics, the media and the legal profession.

"Indonesia should be known not for the number of corruption cases it has, but for its success in building a legal system that can prevent corruption, deter offenders and recover state assets," Luthfi said. (Gusti Haes)