Mahfud MD: The House Of Representatives Disagrees With The Bill On Asset Confiscation And The Bill On Currency Limitations

Mahfud MD (Photo: KPK RI Youtube)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government had actually submitted the Bill on Asset Confiscation and the Bill on Limiting Currency to the Indonesian House of Representatives. However, the two draft laws are not a priority.

In fact, the two draft laws were made by the government with good intentions. With regard to the Asset Confiscation Bill, it is hoped that the assets owned by the perpetrators of criminal acts can be confiscated.

Meanwhile, continued Mahfud, the Bill on Limiting Currency is considered to be able to prevent the occurrence of money laundering crimes because people have to shop through banks.

"Well, but the two bills in the DPR in 2021 are not a priority. This means that the DPR does not agree," Mahfud said in a video statement to reporters, Tuesday, December 14.

For this reason, the government then proposed one of the draft laws, namely the Bill on Asset Confiscation. According to Mahfuf, this draft was proposed because it was considered easier than limiting currency.

Moreover, the confiscation of assets is a clear form of crime. However, laws are still needed for the implementation mechanism.

However, this draft has not yet been included in the 2022 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). "It turns out that (the Asset Confiscation Bill, ed) for 2022, based on a decision on December 7, the DPR has not included it in the new Prolegnas," said the former Chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK).

Thus, Mahfud requested that the DPR RI understand the wishes of the government, including President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who initiated the Asset Confiscation Bill. "We ask for your understanding so that the DPR considers this important in the context of eradicating corruption," he said.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered his staff and invited the legislature to immediately ratify the Asset Confiscation Bill. This legislation is considered important for fair law enforcement.

"The government continues to push for the immediate enactment of the Law on the Confiscation of Criminal Assets. It is also very important that we continue to push it," said Jokowi when opening the commemoration of World Anti-Corruption Day (Hakordia) 2021 at the KPK Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, December 9.

Jokowi hopes that this legislation can be passed soon. Thus, the law can be enforced in order to improve the welfare of the community.

"We hope that next year, God willing, this can be completed so that fair law enforcement can be realized in a professional and accountable manner to improve the welfare of the people," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.