Pigai urges caution in drafting Asset Forfeiture Bill

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has urged the House of Representatives to formulate the Asset Forfeiture Bill carefully while ensuring the protection of human rights, particularly property rights.

In a statement here on Thursday, the minister said he supported the enactment of an Asset Forfeiture Law as an instrument to strengthen efforts to combat corruption and other serious crimes.

However, he stressed that asset forfeiture powers must have clear limits and be exercised in accordance with the law and court decisions.

“Formulating a law must take into account the possibility that it could be abused to coerce the people. As the Human Rights Minister, I am obliged to remind the House to formulate it carefully,” Pigai said.

He emphasized that the protection of property rights must be a key consideration in drafting the legislation.

He said Indonesia is a state governed by the rule of law, or rechtsstaat, meaning that the confiscation of property must be based on the law and upheld by a court decision.

“If the Asset Forfeiture Law is not directed at corruptors but also at ordinary citizens, then on what basis can people’s property rights be confiscated solely on the authority of a law, rather than on the basis of a court decision?” he said.

Pigai said the asset forfeiture policy should primarily target corruptors, criminal syndicates, and perpetrators of specific crimes, including drug offenses, terrorism, human trafficking, and smuggling.

“Do not target innocent ordinary citizens,” he said.

He said the drafting of the Asset Forfeiture Bill must take into account the potential abuse of authority, including against members of the public who may not necessarily be suspects or involved in criminal offenses.

Therefore, Pigai called for the bill to establish clear limits on the exercise of authority and provide legal safeguards for asset owners.

He expressed hope that the legislation would strengthen efforts to combat crime while ensuring respect for and protection of human rights.