Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will submit the Asset Forfeiture Bill draft to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on May 16, 2023, Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Syarif Hiariej informed on Tuesday.

"Once the parliament session resumes on May 16, (the draft) will be submitted to the DPR RI," he said at the ministry’s office here.

The parliament has been in recess since April 15 and is expected to meet again on May 16.

The bill remains open for deliberation between the government and the parliament, he said, adding that the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, and the Law and Human Rights Ministry are among the institutions that will be involved in deliberations on the bill.

"(The draft) is subject to discussion, and seven to nine ministries and institutions will take part in the deliberations," he said.

The President has sent letters to ministers and institution leaders, inviting them to join discussions on the bill with the legislature, Hiariej added.

The deputy minister further said that he could not provide details on the final asset forfeiture mechanism as the government and the parliament are still seeking a middle ground on it.

"Once again, all is subject to discussion. We have not determined it yet as it all depends on the sides involved in the law drafting. While the government wants A and the DPR RI wants B, we need to discuss more to find our middle ground," Hiariej said.

On April 5, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, said that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) would sign the Asset Forfeiture Bill draft soon.

"The President needs time to study (the bill) because he has a lot of files at his table to be signed. I believe (he will sign) at the latest next week," Mahfud said.

The President had earlier urged the parliament to finalize the Asset Forfeiture Bill, saying that it would support the handling of corruption cases in the country. He also affirmed that the government will continue to push for the bill's passage.

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Translator: Narda Margaretha, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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