Jakarta. Calls are mounting for Indonesia to have an asset forfeiture law, something that can enable the country to restore the public and investors' trust.

The asset forfeiture law has long fallen on deaf ears. The law is key for the state to seize assets connected to corruption -- a decades-long problem that has plagued Indonesia. Countless Indonesians have been marching on the streets since last week to protest against lawmakers’ excessive salaries, to name a few. Many people, be it on the streets or social media, have been demanding that lawmakers pass the asset confiscation bill into law as soon as possible. 

Jerry Marmen, who heads the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Certification Agency, agreed on how important the asset forfeiture law is. This much-anticipated document is one of the many concrete actions that the government can take to meet the public aspirations. Walking the talk on fighting corruption will not only send that much-needed positive signal to the vast public and investors, but also lead to stability.

“The delays in regards to the asset forfeiture law have sparked assumptions that the government is not serious about waging war against corruption. If we have this law in place, it can send a strong positive signal to both the public and investors,” Jerry, who is also the president commissioner of KB Bank, said. 

“Responding [to public demands] with careful analysis, consideration, and concrete implementation will transform aspirations into positive energy for political and economic stability,” Jerry said.

He also called on the government to embrace a GRC-based approach when making decisions. In other words, any policymaking must be transparent, but also pay attention to the risks from all aspects, including a social and political standpoint. “There is a need for compliance, … which must encompass adherence to ethical principles, a sense of justice, and public expectations,” Jerry stated.

During a recent hospital visit to injured policemen and civilians, President Prabowo Subianto had given his word that he would combat corruption. Prabowo had gathered religious organizations at his palace on Monday for some talks that also touched on the asset confiscation law, according to Jacky Manuputty, who chairs the Communion of Indonesian Churches.

“Mr. President promised to work on the asset forfeiture law. He has pledged to seriously work on and really fight for this law alongside the lawmakers,” Jacky told the press.

Indonesia scored 37 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. This index uses a 0-100 scale that measures the perceived level of public corruption. The higher the score, the cleaner the government. Not long before the protests erupted, the anti-graft body KPK named Former Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer a suspect in an alleged extortion case tied to workplace safety certifications.