President Jokowi Urges Completion of Asset Forfeiture Bill
- Puspen TNI
Jakarta – Corruption is an extraordinary crime that inhibit development, damages the nation's economy, and also makes people suffer.
Therefore, the Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged the Draft Law (RUU) on Asset Forfeiture, as part of efforts to eradicate corruption, to be completed immediately.
"In my opinion, it's important that the law on confiscation of criminal assets be completed immediately, because this is a mechanism to recover state losses and can have a deterrent effect," said the President at the Commemoration of World Anti-Corruption Day (Hakordia) 2023, at Istora Senayan, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
In addition, the President also encouraged the completion of the Bill on Restrictions on Currency Transactions to increase transparency and accountability of banking transactions.
“I hope that the government and the House of Representatives can immediately discuss and finalize the Asset Confiscation Law for this crime," the President remarked.
Then, there is also the Law on Currency Transaction Restrictions which encourages the use of banking transfers.
"This will all be more transparent, more accountable, which is also very good," the Head of State said.
Moreover, the President emphasized that strengthening this regulation is necessary considering that there are still many criminal acts of corruption in the country involving legislative, judicial and executive elements.
"From 2004-2022, there are 344 leaders and members of the House of Representatives and Regional House of Representatives who were imprisoned for criminal acts of corruption, including the Chair of the House of Representatives and also the Chair of the Regional House of Representatives," the Head of State noted.
"There are 38 ministers and heads of institutions. There are 24 governors and 162 regents and mayors. There are 31 judges, including constitutional judges," the President added.
There are 8 commissioners, including the General Election Commission, Competition Supervisory, Judicial Commission. And, there are also 415 from the private sector and 363 from bureaucrats.
President Jokowi believes that there is a need for a total evaluation of the handling of criminal acts of corruption in the country. Therefore, the President invited all parties to work together to fight this corruption.
"I invite all of us, let's work together to prevent criminal acts of corruption and provide a deterrent effect to officials who commit corruption," the President concluded.