Govt, House agree to ratify mutual legal aid law

The government and the House of Representatives (DPR) have agreed to ratify the draft of the International Assets Recovery bill – an agreement between the Indonesian government and the government of Hong Kong, a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed by members of House’s Commission III overseeing legal affairs, with representatives from all fractions. Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa were present to witness the signing.

"The ratification of the bill will accelerate the processing of corruption cases concerning the state's assets that involve Indonesian citizens, as well as citizens of Hong Kong and China," Amir told reporters, citing the Bank Century scandal as an example.