National Asset Recovery

Written By : Fadhiilah Ayu Ramadhani and Githa Ramadhani

Asset recovery is a legal process aimed at identifying, tracing, seizing, and returning assets obtained illegally, particularly in cases of corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Asset recovery is a crucial step in the fight against corruption and ensures that the proceeds of illegal activities cannot be enjoyed by criminals.

Asset recovery, as also outlined in the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC, Chapter V), refers to the process by which the proceeds of corruption that have been transferred abroad are recovered and returned to the country of origin or to their rightful owners.

Asset recovery is a crucial mechanism for upholding the integrity of the legal system and ensuring justice for the state and victims of crime. The World Bank estimates that developing countries lose between US$20-40 billion each year due to corruption, funds that could otherwise support poverty reduction, public services, and sustainable development. Recovering these assets is therefore not merely punitive, but restorative: it returns wealth that rightfully belongs to the state and the public it serves. 

Under Article 3 of Attorney General Regulation No. PER-013/A/JA/06/2014 on Asset Recovery, the types of asset recovery covers four categories: 

1. assets derived from or used as instruments of a criminal act, including those converted into personal, third-party, or corporate wealth;

2. found property;

3. state assets controlled by unauthorized parties; and 

4. other assets under applicable law, including those constituting compensation to victims.

Asset recovery under this provision is carried out by the Asset Recovery Center (Pusat Pemulihan Aset), established in accordance with applicable regulations. 

Asset recovery comprises a sequence of activities, tracing, securing, maintaining, confiscating, and returning assets connected to a criminal act or other relevant assets, to the state or rightful parties. Each stage requires inter-agency coordination, including the Prosecutor's Office, KPK, and PPATK, supported by adequate evidence at every step. The detailed mechanism for each stage is set out in Chapter III, Articles 7 to 24 of Attorney General Regulation No. PER-013/A/JA/06/2014. 

SOURCE

• Administrator, 'Ruang Lingkup Pemulihan Aset: Dari Aset Hasil Kejahatan, sampai Barang Temuan' (IFII PPATK, 6 September 2024) https://ifii.ppatk.go.id/id/Web/Berita/detil/251/ accessed 1 July 2026.

• Alfensius Alwino, 'Pemulihan Aset-Aset Hasil Korupsi' (Character Building Development Center, 4 September 2024) https://binus.ac.id/character-building/2024/09/pemulihan-aset-aset-hasil-korupsi/ 

• UNCAC Coalition, 'Asset Recovery' https://uncaccoalition.org/learn-more/asset-recovery/ 

• United Nations Convention against Corruption (adopted 31 October 2003, entered into force 14 December 2005) 2349 UNTS 41, arts 51–59. 

• Peraturan Jaksa Agung Republik Indonesia Nomor PER-013/A/JA/06/2014 tentang Pemulihan Aset.