Asset Seizure Bill Must Not Rely Solely on Legal Basis, Says Rights Advocate

Regarding the Asset Seizure Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset) currently under deliberation in Indonesia, Haris Azhar, head of the human rights organization Lokatarum, has expressed that the bill should not rely solely on legal backgrounds. Azhar acknowledges the importance of enacting the asset seizure bill for tracking criminal proceeds and for the public interest. However, he also emphasized the need for meticulous attention during the bill's formulation process to ensure that citizens' rights, particularly property rights, are not unjustly infringed. His statement reflects concerns from civil society about whether the bill's content will adequately consider the protection of individual rights, even as there are calls for its swift passage. Further discussion and transparency are required regarding the bill's specific articles and scope of application.