Jakarta. Pelita Harapan University (UPH) recently held an international seminar zeroing in on a notary’s role in preventing money laundering and terrorism financing. 

The seminar focused on what notaries could do to prevent such crimes in order to improve Indonesia’s investment climate. The event was also in partnership with the French Superior Council of Notaries (CSN). 

“Notaries have a crucial role in ensuring compliance to money laundering and anti-terrorism. If the notaries, who are the gatekeepers to the transactions, this will take a toll on Indonesia’s credibility,” Cahyo said. 

Last year, Indonesia was accepted as a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The group calls for its members to have anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing policies. 

“There are three professions highlighted by FATF, namely notaries, accountants, and lawyers. That's why the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, which is in charge of the notaries, wants notaries to be an example for other organizations," Cahyo said. 

UPH provides a notary master’s degree program. The university’s chancellor Jonathan R Parapak said that this program had been very well developed, and is expected to provide benefits to the community.

“We are grateful that UPH has been given superior accreditation by the government. in the future, we hope to be able to contribute even more, one of which is in the field of notary affairs," Jonathan said. 

The committee chairman Sahat Marulitua Sidabukke said that the seminar was hoping to gain insights from the CSN as France was a role model in preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

"We invite them so that they can provide insight and input from the academic and government side to create more comprehensive regulations regarding notary matters," Sahat said.