DPR proposal covers corruption, narcotics, taxation, banking, environmental crimes, and human trafficking.

Indonesia’s long-debated Asset Forfeiture Bill is taking clearer shape. The House of Representatives has identified 13 categories of serious crimes that could fall under the proposed legislation, including cases where a non-conviction-based mechanism may apply under conditions still being drafted. The move could significantly strengthen Indonesia’s ability to recover proceeds of crime, but lawmakers also face pressure to ensure strong safeguards against abuse.

DPR Identifies 13 Crime Categories
House Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman said lawmakers developed the scope after studying expert recommendations and comparing asset forfeiture systems in other countries. The 13 categories are corruption; narcotics and psychotropics; terrorism; human smuggling; smuggling of weapons, ammunition, and hazardous materials; forestry crimes; environmental crimes; taxation offenses; banking crimes; insurance crimes; mining offenses; maritime and fisheries crimes; and human trafficking.

Bill Goes Far Beyond Corruption
The proposed legislation is therefore considerably broader than an anticorruption measure. Its reach extends into sectors where illegal activity can generate substantial economic gains or losses for the state and public, including taxation, banking, insurance, mining, forestry, fisheries, and environmental offenses. Habiburokhman said experts had recommended focusing the mechanism on economically motivated crimes, offenses causing widespread losses, or serious crimes with significant economic consequences.

Non-Conviction Forfeiture Under Consideration
One of the bill’s most consequential elements is non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, which can allow authorities to pursue criminally linked assets without first obtaining a criminal conviction under specified circumstances. Commission III said it has examined how other jurisdictions regulate such mechanisms, including limitations intended to prevent disproportionate application. The precise procedures, evidentiary requirements, eligible assets, and protections for affected parties will therefore be crucial as deliberations continue.

DPR Targets Completion by December
Commission III has said it aims to complete deliberations on the Asset Forfeiture Bill by December 2026. Habiburokhman said public and expert input would remain important in developing legislation that is effective, proportionate, fair, and beneficial. Civil society groups have meanwhile called for transparency and public access to the draft, particularly because expanded state powers over property require clear due-process protections.

Stronger Asset Recovery Could Reshape Enforcement
If enacted with robust safeguards, the legislation could shift Indonesia’s approach from focusing primarily on imprisoning offenders toward also recovering economic benefits allegedly generated through serious crimes. That could have particular significance for corruption, narcotics, illegal mining, environmental offenses, and other financially motivated crimes. For Indonesians, the debate centers on balancing stronger enforcement with property and due-process rights. Singapore also has an interest in effective regional asset recovery because illicit funds and transnational criminal networks can move across Southeast Asian financial and commercial systems.

Indonesia’s Asset Forfeiture Bill could become an important addition to the country’s fight against financially motivated crime, particularly because its proposed scope reaches far beyond corruption. However, the effectiveness of the legislation will depend on the final safeguards, evidentiary standards, judicial oversight, and transparency built into the law. Stronger asset recovery in Indonesia could also support broader regional efforts with Singapore and other ASEAN countries to combat money laundering and cross-border criminal finance.

Sources: Batam News (2026) , CNN Indonesia (2026)

Keywords: Indonesia Asset Forfeiture, Asset Forfeiture Bill, RUU Perampasan Aset, Corruption Indonesia, Financial Crime, DPR RI