Many People Don't Understand The Law To Become Victims Of Apparatus Practices, Members Of The House Of Representatives: Renewable RKUHAP For Absolute Needs

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the DPR, Bimantoro Wiyono, emphasized the importance of updating criminal procedural law through the Draft Criminal Procedure Code (RKUHAP) which is being discussed in the DPR to provide justice for small communities.

Bimantoro said this legal update was an urgent step to respond to public concerns about the injustice of legal practice in the field.

"We see that there are many legal events that apply today that do not meet the expectations of the community. Practices in the field often show inequality between citizens and law enforcement officials. This happens because the two positions do not have the same legal force," said Bimantoro, Monday, June 23.

Bimantoro highlighted the fact that many small communities do not understand that the law must deal with law enforcement officers who understand the rules better. Unfortunately, he said, many of them face the legal process without legal assistance.

"This is a fact that we cannot cover up. In the field, people who do not understand the law often become victims of police practices that violate the law. So, legal reform through the RKUHAP is an absolute necessity," he said.

He considered that one of the crucial points that needed attention was strengthening the rights of witnesses, suspects, and victims. He also emphasized the need to strengthen the principles of neutrality and fair legal procedures (fair procedure) from the early stages of the legal process.

"We strongly agree that there must be clear control from the start of the investigation. Because from the start everything was still a suspicion, there was no evidence. Do not let people who are not necessarily guilty be treated as if they have been proven guilty," he said.

Bimantoro also expressed his concern over the inequality of legal force felt by the community. He said about 60 percent of the legal force was in the hands of law enforcement officers, while the community only had 40 percent.

This condition, according to him, must be immediately repaired through a new RKUHAP in order to create a balance in the law enforcement process.

"We really hope that this RKUHAP will later strengthen the functions and rights of the community so that they can be a balancer. There must be clarity and courage to ensure that people's rights are fulfilled in the legal process," he said.

As a member of the legal commission, Bimantoro is committed to continuing to oversee the process of discussing the RKUHAP so that later it can answer public unrest.

"At the same time, it is a new milestone in creating a fairer legal system and taking sides with the people," he concluded.