KPK: Asset Confiscation Is Not Maximum, The Bill Must Be Ratified Immediately

The logo of the KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta. (Between)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Johanis Tanak said the return of state losses had not been maximized so far. He asked that the Asset Confiscation Bill (RUU) be ratified immediately.

"From my experience as a prosecutor, the return of state financial losses through the Anti-Corruption Law has not been maximized and many have not been returned," Johanis said in a written statement, Monday, May 5.

Johanis said that currently the law that accommodates the prosecution of alleged corruption, such as Law Number 31 of 1999 which was changed to Law Number 20 of 2001, has not been able to return state losses. Thus, it is important that the regulation to underlie the confiscation of assets is immediately ratified by legislators in parliament.

"In my opinion, if the Bill on Asset Confiscation has been ratified, the recovery of state financial losses arising from the actions of perpetrators of corruption can be carried out optimally," he said.

In addition, Johanis believes this law can strengthen the work of the KPK. "So that state financial losses can recover and be used for the benefit of state development," he said.

As previously reported, President Prabowo Subianto mentioned the Asset Confiscation Bill (RUU) during a speech at the commemoration of International Labor Day or May Day at the Monas Area, Central Jakarta on Thursday, May 1. He supports that regulation to be ratified by the Indonesian House of Representatives.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in the context of eradicating corruption, I support the Asset Confiscation Act. I support it," Prabowo said in his speech in front of thousands of workers and received an enthusiastic response, Thursday, May 1.

Prabowo said the law needed to be passed immediately. "It's just that I've helped, I don't want to return the assets. I'll just withdraw it," he said.

"Agree?"

"Agree!" said the workers in response to Prabowo. Prabowo wants the resistance against corruptors to continue. However, he reminded the workers to support him.

"Later you will be given money for a demonstration to (support, red) corruptors," he said from the podium.

"No!" replied the mass of workers present.

"Is that right? Watch out for you," Prabowo replied to the answer given by the masses.