DPR Passes Criminal Procedure Bill Into Law
Key Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s Parliament approves a major revision of the national criminal procedure law on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 to replace the four-decade-old framework and strengthen citizens' rights in investigations, arrests, and legal proceedings. The move marks one of the most significant updates to the justice system as legislators aim to raise due-process standards and expand protections for vulnerable groups.
The full legal name of the legislation, Rancangan Undang-Undang tentang Perubahan atas Undang-Undang Nomor 8 Tahun 1981 tentang Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Acara Pidana (RUU KUHAP), had undergone more than a year of deliberation at Komisi III DPR. Lawmakers focused on aligning procedural rules with the newly enacted Criminal Code, which required a modern, operational procedural structure to support enforcement.
Komisi III DPR Chair Habiburokhman said the update was essential because the previous criminal procedure law had been in place for 44 years. He said the new framework guided Indonesia toward substantive justice and ensured compatibility with the Criminal Code, which functioned as the system of material law.
He emphasized that the review was not rushed and involved an extended drafting process with legal experts and stakeholders. He said, "Forming this Criminal Procedure Code was not rushed at all, and if we calculate it, we spent more than a year drafting it."
Habiburokhman said the revisions strengthened citizens' rights when interacting with law-enforcement authorities and improved procedural clarity. He said, "The new Criminal Procedure Code is directed at achieving genuine justice, because the previous structure no longer reflected the needs of a modern legal system."
He added that the role of legal counsel was expanded to ensure full access to representation throughout investigations and trials. The new rules also maximized protections for vulnerable groups, giving them specific procedural guarantees.
For that purpose, the legislation introduced detailed provisions for persons with disabilities, women, and senior citizens. These clauses aimed to ensure dignified and equitable treatment in every stage of legal proceedings.
Habiburokhman said the law required surveillance cameras during witness and suspect examinations to prevent torture, coercion, and intimidation. He said, "The requirement to use monitoring cameras is essential to prevent abusive practices and strengthen accountability in law enforcement."
The legislation also established clear, objective criteria for detention to prevent arbitrary decisions by investigators. He said, "In the old system, detention could be highly subjective and depended on the investigator's preference, but the new rules ensure objective and consistent standards."
Other reforms included legal aid guarantees, suspect assurances, restorative justice pathways, witness assistance mechanisms, and stronger pretrial oversight. Habiburokhman said, "The new Criminal Procedure Code is highly progressive and reflects our commitment to a more just legal system."
He said that both criticism and support for the bill were part of a healthy democratic process. He said Parliament valued public participation as it worked to strengthen fairness and legal certainty.