Indonesia’s New KUHAP Explained

Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) approved revisions to the Criminal Procedure Code (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Acara Pidana, KUHAP) on November 18, 2025, with the law set to take effect on January 2, 2026, alongside the new Criminal Code (KUHP). This long-awaited reform aims to modernize Indonesia’s criminal justice system and ensure procedural rules align with the KUHP’s emphasis on restorative justice, rehabilitation, and restitution rather than solely punitive sanctions.

The revised KUHAP introduces 14 key substantive changes. Among the most significant is the formal incorporation of restorative justice mechanisms, particularly for minor and non-violent offenses, allowing cases to be resolved through reconciliation and compensation instead of imprisonment. The law also strengthens protections for vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, by requiring more sensitive handling throughout investigations and trials. In addition, the revised code clarifies the separation of roles among investigators, prosecutors, judges, and legal advocates, reducing the risk of overlapping authority and abuse of power.

Technological integration is another major feature of the reform. The new KUHAP enables the use of digital systems for evidence management, court proceedings, and official notifications, improving efficiency and transparency. At the same time, it reinforces due process safeguards, such as guaranteeing access to legal counsel from the earliest stages of investigation and imposing stricter limits on pretrial detention to prevent arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

To support effective implementation, the government is finalizing six derivative regulations: three related to the KUHP and three to the KUHAP. These regulations will govern implementation procedures, restorative justice practices, and the use of technology in judicial processes, including those issued through presidential decrees. Law enforcement institutions, including the Indonesian National Police (Polri), have also signed memoranda of understanding with the Attorney General’s Office to enhance inter-agency coordination, training, and institutional readiness.

These reforms respond to longstanding criticisms of the 1981 KUHAP, which was widely viewed as outdated and overly focused on state authority during criminal investigations. By incorporating public input from academics, civil society organizations, and legal experts, the revised KUHAP seeks to create a fairer, more balanced, and human-rights-oriented criminal justice system that reflects contemporary legal standards and societal needs.

Image Credits

Menpan RB. Rapat Paripurna DPR RI. Kementerian Pendayagunaan Aparatur Negara dan Reformasi Birokrasi,
https://www.menpan.go.id/site/berita-foto/rapat-paripurna-dpr-ri-4. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Works Cited

CNA Indonesia. RUU KUHAP Disahkan, Berlaku Mulai 2 Januari 2026: Ini 14 Substansi Perubahan Utama. CNA Indonesia, 2025,
https://www.cna.id/indonesia/ruu-kuhap-disahkan-berlaku-mulai-2-januari-2026-ini-14-substansi-perubahan-utama-40976. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Detik News. Lengkap Sudah, KUHAP dan KUHP Baru Berlaku Tahun Depan. Detik, 2025,
https://news.detik.com/berita/d-8217556/lengkap-sudah-kuhap-dan-kuhp-baru-berlaku-tahun-depan. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Deutsche Welle Indonesia. KUHAP dan KUHP Baru Akan Mulai Berlaku Tahun Depan. DW Indonesia, 2025,
https://www.dw.com/id/kuhap-dan-kuhp-baru-akan-mulai-berlaku-tahun-depan/a-74799053. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Indonesian National Police. DPR Passes New KUHAP Bill into Law. INP, 2025,
https://inp.polri.go.id/artikel/dpr-passes-new-kuhap-bill-into-law. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Kompas.com. Ini 14 Substansi Perubahan Utama dalam KUHAP Baru yang Disahkan DPR. Kompas, 18 Nov. 2025,
https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/11/18/13251121/ini-14-substansi-perubahan-utama-dalam-kuhap-baru-yang-disahkan-dpr. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Open Parliament Indonesia. RUU KUHAP. Open Parliament Indonesia, 21 July 2025,
https://openparliament.id/2025/07/21/ruu-kuhap/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Indonesia's New KHUAP Explained