Indonesia Enacts New Criminal Procedure Code: Key Implications For Investigations And Enforcement

On December 17, 2025, the President of Indonesia signed the criminal procedure bill into Law No. 20 of 2025 (the "New KUHAP"), following its parliamentary approval in November 2025. The New KUHAP replaces Indonesia's four-decades-old Law No. 8 of 1981 (the "Old KUHAP") and took effect on January 2, 2026.

While public discourse continues to debate whether the changes go far enough, we believe the enactment of the New KUHAP introduces significant reforms to Indonesian criminal procedure and is expected to improve criminal law enforcement in Indonesia.

New Remedies to Mitigate Criminal Liability

When a business becomes the subject of a criminal investigation, it may find itself in a particularly vulnerable position, especially in cases where regulatory non-compliance is evident. Taking immediate steps to rectify the non-compliance does not necessarily prevent the investigation from escalating into a full-blown prosecution and trial, which could expose the