Confiscation of Corruptors' Assets: A Strategy for State Financial Recovery and Prevention of Corruption Crimes

Abstract

Corruption is an extraordinary crime that not only results in state financial losses but also hinders national development and undermines public trust in the government. The current legal system still relies on a conviction-based forfeiture mechanism, requiring asset confiscation to await a final and binding criminal verdict. This situation has resulted in suboptimal recovery of corrupt assets, as perpetrators have the opportunity to divert or conceal assets during the judicial process. This study aims to analyze asset confiscation as an instrument for recovering state finances and to examine the urgency of drafting an Asset Forfeiture Law to strengthen the eradication of corruption in Indonesia. The study employed a normative juridical method with a statutory and conceptual approach. Data were obtained through a literature review of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials, then analyzed qualitatively using prescriptive analysis methods. The results indicate that asset confiscation plays a strategic role in recovering state financial losses, eliminating perpetrators' economic gains, and increasing the deterrent effect through the concept of impoverishing corruptors. However, the current legal regulations still have various limitations due to their reliance on criminal verdicts. Therefore, the drafting of the Asset Forfeiture Bill is crucial because it offers a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture mechanism with an in rem model that allows the state to confiscate assets more quickly, effectively, and efficiently without having to wait for a final and binding criminal verdict. This is expected to strengthen the asset recovery system and support the eradication of corruption in Indonesia.