Indonesian President Joko Widodo has expressed worries regarding the potential for cryptocurrencies to be utilized in money laundering activities. In a recent update from Antara, President Widodo emphasized the significant scale of illicit financial transactions during his speech at the 22nd Anniversary of the National Movement for Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention.
Indonesia Joins Global Efforts in AML Through FATF
Indonesia secured a permanent seat within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorism financing. This achievement came after member states granted approval during a meeting in Paris on October 25 of the previous year.
This significant milestone represented the culmination of Indonesia’s endeavors since June 29, 2018, when it initially joined the FATF as an observer. Since then, it has diligently pursued full membership, ultimately becoming the organization’s 40th member.
President Widodo expressed optimism that Indonesia’s inclusion as a full member of the FATF would inspire stakeholders to redouble their efforts against money laundering. He stressed the importance of this membership for bolstering Indonesia’s economic credibility and enhancing the global perception of its financial system, thereby attracting increased investment.
President Widodo highlighted the valuable support Indonesia’s FATF membership would garner from 39 other member countries. These countries could provide expert testimony and evidence crucial for combating money laundering, including crimes involving cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, the President underscored the necessity of vigilance among stakeholders, particularly as money launderers increasingly exploit crypto markets to obfuscate their illicit activities.
Enhancing Legal Frameworks to Combat Money Laundering
Sigid Suseno, a criminal law expert at Padjadjaran University, underscored the critical need for Indonesia to leverage its FATF membership strategically in combating money laundering and ensuring accountability for offenders.
Suseno urged for increased collaboration among law enforcement agencies to effectively address the evolving tactics used in money laundering, noting that such illicit activities frequently precede other serious crimes such as drug trafficking and terrorism.
Furthermore, Suseno emphasized the pressing importance of enacting the Asset Forfeiture Bill into actionable legislation. This would empower law enforcement authorities to more efficiently track and confiscate assets acquired through criminal enterprises.
